Ian Willans

[Stan Collymore @StanCollymore]

Graham Thorpe, England cricketer, with beautiful daughters, loving wife, family and friends.

Took his own life.

Too many men in particular, at a time when information is plentiful, charities on standby, text, phone and email services ready, are deciding to end their lives.

Many reading this, like me will have hit very close to where Graham got but stopped short, just. It's a desperate, confusing and frightening experience mixed with a matter of factness that at the time feels sobering, you feel you're thinking and acting clearly but you're not.

Graham's wife took the decision to tell the world of how Graham both lived and sadly died, in the hope that if you or someone you know are struggling you'll grab one of the branches set out below and contact someone who can and will help.

When someone takes their life, there's a trail of pain, questions and few answers, but many of us know that anxiety and depression gets so bad that life simply doesn't feel worth living. In my case I was lucky, very lucky. I ran, and ran some more until clouds lifted, the anxiety moved away and I could think straight. Looking back I've been seconds away from death several times, so reading about Graham is incredibly confronting, upsetting and sobering as I'm sure it is for many.

I didn't know Graham but his story is all too familiar. Anxiety and depression for men, particularly men, hides invisible as the forced machismo creates a mask, a shield. You laugh, you crack a joke, you "look" ok and you carry on. But then one day as if you were preparing a meal, you take stock, prepare your deed and,

You take your life.

Leaving others with a lifetime of pain.

You don't mean to, it's the last thing you want, but it's the unintended consequences of a decision made, nonetheless.

If you're reading this, and can relate to any of the above, firstly have 5 minutes to think of Graham, his children and his wife, they need all the love and support that can be sent their way.

Then, if you're anxious, depressed, really struggling, ease know that my email is open to sound off, that charities such as the Samaritans are there 24/7, SANE charity phone line is open from 4pm to 10pm daily, MIND have drop in centres nationally and emergence services will always help on 999 or NHS 111.

To Graham and his family, you're on my mind and the mind of many, and to those struggling, you're a second away from help even in your darkest hour.

Protect life. Yours.

Stand up. Speak out.

[Ian Willans @IanWillans]

Beverley Town Cricket Club & Embrace https://t.co/p6GPBeHn8s

Over 60 of us from @beverleytcc are walking 47 miles of the Cleveland Way starting Sunday night. If you can share the cost of your cricket tea this weekend for two great causes we'd be grateful

[Ian Willans @IanWillans]

@becksjaynee Even worse, not even a Nortern Supercharger! ECB want tribalism around their franchises, how when all your local players are scattered around the country?

[Xavier Voigt-Hill @voigthill]

5:37pm: Durham issues a statement about a player getting suspended for placing 303 bets on cricket matches

6:18pm: Durham launches a new in-house livestream sponsored by a betting company

[England and Wales Cricket Board @ECB_cricket]

💬 Have your say! 💬

We want to hear from voices across England & Wales to help shape the values that will guide our sport and create a more inclusive culture for today and the future.

The survey will remain open until Monday 3 June👇

#TheBigCricketConversation #RaisingTheGame

[Beverley Town CC @beverleytcc]

Come give it a try! Women’s indoor training for the 2024 season is here! All abilities and ages welcome.

📅 Every Tuesday
⏰ 7-8pm
📌 Beverley Leisure Centre

For more information please visit our website (link in bio)

#UTB 🦫💙

[Ian Willans @IanWillans]

@M_Watson__ @TSB Hi Mark, sorry tone was wrong- it was late but Name, acc number, csv and you could work out most of the long number- you can see through the blocking out

[Ian Willans @IanWillans]

@bbc606 uve a young lad n @RobbieSavage8 asks what'd u get 4 Xmas-ticks 4 a game against Sheff Utd in Apr.
U spend 1hr+ talkin bout corp fan spendin 1k on experience n thereu have a young kid sayin best pressie is bottom the league in 4 mnths! Everything that is wrong- say it

[Ian Willans @IanWillans]

@PepperellEddie I doubt it Eddie, Rahm gets $600m, the PGA cave in, everyone merges n the Saudis sportswashing continues as they control all golf. Golfers aren't worth this much money, the viewing figures aren't there- is anyone questioning why LIV exists or does everyone just swim in the cash?

[Ian Willans @IanWillans]

@DPWorldTour Never understand why this event is end of year. Iconic courses, celebs, money. If you want to grow the game it shud be in the height of the season, one of 4 links events in and around the Open. In the same way tennis has a clay court or grass court season golf shud have links

[Ian Willans @IanWillans]

@Daniel_Rapaport Nope, then you never get Philip Price beating Mickelson and many others of it's type. Sport is not just about top guy against top guy week after week.

[Ian Willans @IanWillans]

@RJ18742 @ColinMurray @bbc5live @1AaronPaul @Minarzouki Forest, Villa more relevant. Ask a 50 Yr old fan of either immortality or a promotion to struggle in the money swamp of the Premier league for a year more if you're lucky

[Ian Willans @IanWillans]

@mroller98 Jeez exactly how much does an ex prime minister sell his soul for? I don't remember such passion for promoting the game in this country when in power

[Ian Willans @IanWillans]

@RFU This will drive jnrs away from the game, yrs watching my son in jnr rugby it might take til they're 15 til they have the confidence to go low. Puberty is a massive influence around u13, u expect a 4ft kid to take a 6ft 13 stone kid out at the knees. I saw one, he went to hospital

[Ian Willans @IanWillans]

@RFU Funny 2 pictures u choose r both over waist, who's got trousers up there? More arguments about an imaginary line. Keep it below the shoulder n all jnr kits to include a "hoop" under arm pit. Already lots of arguments in jnr rugby over high tackle, just stay away from neck n head

[Ian Willans @IanWillans]

@JohnRalfe1 @goldstone_tony @excel_wang @TPS Govt can't switch to DC as private sector has on mass as the burden to tax payers wud then be to pay for existing DB pensioners whilst also making DC contributions for current employees. Political suicide and a massive funding problem

[Ian Willans @IanWillans]

@JohnRalfe1 @goldstone_tony @excel_wang @TPS Fair, I was trying to make the point that cost is like employers contribution if it were a DC scheme. Reality more complicated as scheme is unfunded n current cost is for current pensioners not current employees. DB highly beneficial for employees wud be my n i expect your point

[Ian Willans @IanWillans]

@goldstone_tony @excel_wang @JohnRalfe1 @TPS The thing is, one of you is talking about the value of the employee benefit and one employers contribution cost. It's an apples and pears comparison. Without checking both your workings, I suspect you're both right. Underlying point ppl don't know the value of DB pension is true

[Ian Willans @IanWillans]

@GeoffLemonSport I dont agonise bout tests being slow n boring but the test, mental and physical, of a 5 day match being lost and the gerrymandering of pitches to suit the home side cos winning is all that matters. The loss of the ebb and flow, fighting to overcome adversity, the honourable draw