Amy Taylor

[Stan Collymore @StanCollymore]

Suicide.

I'm choosing to be deliberately blunt and provocative in this post because it's necessary. Government, charities, football clubs are all pushing water up a hill in highlighting what is undoubtedly a major health crisis.

You take a rope.
You put it up in a garage or a tree nearby or far away.
You're thinking about every loved one you'll leave behind as you put that rope around your neck.
Then you drop.

Some are decapitated.
Some aren't.
All are found by someone who has a lifetime of trauma that will never leave them.
A son.
A daughter.
A brother.
A sister.
A mother.
A father.

I know 2 men who hung themselves.

One was found by his Mom.
One was found by his brother.
Neither have recovered fully. 20 and 30 years on.

A life sentence for people who were already worrying, terrified their loved one may do something.

So just visualise the above and ask, "is there another way"?

A segway for a moment.

I do a few Q&A's every year. Tales of yesterday with a 99% male audience of my age group.

After the stories and fun, my last question back to the audience is..

"Hands up if you struggle with a mental health issue".

Nobody ever puts a hand up. Despite 1 in every 3 of 500 attendees statistically struggling.

"Ah, nobody, that's fucking brilliant! Well I do! ". I then graphically tell people, stunned into silence about how a rope around my neck in the middle of nowhere jolted me to go home and cry like a baby to my Mom.

After the Q&A has finished, something always happens. I'll be chatting to a few guys, saying bye and one by one, men will come over and whisper " I struggle".

Or my mailbox the next day will have 30 emails from guys, their partners or kids saying " Dad/Uncle /Brother was there last night and what you said hit them hard".

And that's how some people realise that it's time to speak to a pal or family member or even rant to me in an email. It works, I often get a follow up email a year or 6 later saying that they took responsibility for their suicidal feelings and are now flying.

Humans are programmed to want to live, to have families and to keep the species growing and thriving. So for a human to want to short circuit that desire isn't normal, and it should never be spoken of as normal. It's the ultimate red flag.

If you suspect your mate, Dad, Brother, Uncle is struggling mentally, they deserve your intervention.

They deserve a " are you OK, please tell me what's up".

They deserve an opportunity to get past wanting to hang a rope over a tree or in a garage and slowly struggle until they die and you find them.

If you've been there and trust me I have plenty, then you'll know that text out of the blue, or a footie mate or one of your kids asking jow you are can open the curtains to some sunshine.

Because when suicide is your only answer, the room is already dark, and you can't see a way out.

So please, fucking pretty please, ask that husband, Dad, Uncle, Cousin, footie pal TODAY how they are.

You may be shocked what comes back but extremely glad that you asked.

For those who struggle, you're not alone.

[Paul Tanner @PaulTanner30]

Great opportunity to come and help grow the medical department @BristolCity for a 1st team sports therapist or sports rehabilitation graduate. Position will be working alongside 2 established therapists and trainers
Please RT @TheSSTofficial @BASRaTorg

https://t.co/ZkZ8Ykkp8D

[North Leigh Ladies @NorthLeighLFC]

Exciting news!! We are pleased to announce we have a brand new U18s girls team for the upcoming season!!!

[Procision Oxford Football Academy @ProcisionOxford]

🏆Presentation Night🏆

We are incredibly moved and touched to have just over 300 people attend our presentation night for the 24/25 season👏🏼

The night is not only to celebrate all the successes we have experienced this year, but to reflect on everything we’ve been through and come together as we always do to continue taking steps forward🩷

We can’t thank everyone enough for all the support you give our students and staff through all the highs and the lows, it means more than you could ever know💞

A special night with special people💕

[Procision Oxford Football Academy @ProcisionOxford]

Girls Cup Final Preparations Underway👀🏆

Important Week Ahead⚽️💪

[Procision Oxford Football Academy @ProcisionOxford]

🩷Girls Tour🩷

Our first ever tournament on tour and it was incredible⚽️

The girls were brilliant in the tournament and ended up coming away with the third place trophy🥉

More importantly countless memories made and stories to tell from a truly special group of girls💃🩷

We now look forward to the girls @TacticLeague cup final as we look to retain our cup🏆

[Procision Oxford Football Academy @ProcisionOxford]

⚽️ Easter Open Day ⚽️

After an incredibly proud week — where our U23s and girls’ teams claimed league titles in their respective @NFYLU19U23 divisions — we are excited to announce our next Open Day! 🕺🏼

We’re inviting all new applicants to experience what life as a Procision Oxford student is all about🩷

On the day, you’ll take part in football sessions led by our brilliant UEFA-qualified coaches, plus have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about our course⚽️📚

For more information or to register your interest, simply apply using the link below or scan the QR code on the poster🫡

https://t.co/3M0VmHLQNY

We can’t wait to see you this Easter! ✅

[Procision Oxford Football Academy @ProcisionOxford]

Finally a return to league action with our last fixture being 11th November. 3 months ago with the main factor being the awful weather nearly every Monday since that date! Without that in mind this is a re-introduction to the team.

Tonight now leads to four fixtures in as many weeks (weather permitting).

The opponents tonight, Marlow, share a similar record having drawn one game and won the rest. Both teams drawing away to Risborough Rangers in the only dropped points of the season. Identical to ourselves although Marlow having played a fixture more and therefore ahead by 3 points. A victory for either side will go a long way to determine where the title goes albeit with a return fixture to be played at Marlow.

A recap on the team: @DidcotTownFC

League: Allied Counties North

Management: following our last game we have created a new management team for the squad with @taylor_bedwell @JoshHedges8 and @connorb98746404 forming this. With @charlieeherbert on socials. All previously having represented the club at both Allied Counties level and First team level with Taylor, Charlie and Bazza still playing for the first team whilst Hedgy is at Salisbury although is a key part of the clubs Allieds and Development Team coaching set ups.

Squad News: tonight the squad will be without Jesse Hedges, Harry Pitman and Harry Collings. Although the latter will hopefully be available within the next week or so.

The squad for tonight includes 5 first years.

1 FIn Coles
2 Alfie Whalley
3 Aaron Mungai
4 Ryekin Kruger
5 Dylan Gaynor
6 Tyler Heery
7 Harry Herbert
8 Zach Scott
9 Oliver Knights
10 Oscar Hobden
11 Archie Morris
12 Donte Yearwood
13 Josh Smith
14 Owen French
15 Teddy Harding
16 Hughie Hayter-Green

We look forward to seeing as many of you down tonight ⚽️⚽️⚽️

[Procision Oxford Football Academy @ProcisionOxford]

⚽️Male and Female Open Days⚽️

On Tuesday the 18th of February we are inviting in all new applicants to spend a day with us at Tilsley Park⚽️

During the day you will experience what it is like to be a Procision Oxford student✅

We will also have an information session to allow us to provide you with all the possible information you will need to help guide you through your next steps❤️

To express your interest apply using the link below or in our bio⬇️

https://t.co/a6UsbBUba2…

Come along to find out what makes our family so special⚽️🩷

[Procision Oxford Football Academy @ProcisionOxford]

⚽️Male and Female Open Days⚽️

On Tuesday the 18th of February we are inviting in all new applicants to spend a day with us at Tilsley Park⚽️

During the day you will experience what it is like to be a Procision Oxford student✅

We will also have an information session to allow us to provide you with all the possible information you will need to help guide you through your next steps❤️

To express your interest apply using the link below or in our bio⬇️

https://t.co/3M0VmHLQNY

Come along to find out what makes our family so special⚽️🩷

[Procision Oxford Football Academy @ProcisionOxford]

👀⚽️…

[Procision Oxford Football Academy @ProcisionOxford]

🩷🎗️Turning the pitch pink for a cause that’s incredibly close to our hearts🎗️🩷

It means more because our family means more🩷

Please male or female remember to keep checking yourself, your health is worth the check🎗️

[Procision Oxford Football Academy @ProcisionOxford]

The kit simply means more🩷🎗️

Full Release - 05/01/2025

[Procision Oxford Football Academy @ProcisionOxford]

⚽️Male and Female Open Days⚽️

Tomorrow we have our first open day for all new applicants wanting to experience what a day as a Procision Oxford involves👏🏼

Both Male and Female students will take part in an information session to answers any potential questions you may have and find out more about what we offer💻

This will be followed by a training session on the stadium pitch at Tilsley Park🏟️⚽️

For more information or if you are wanting to attend feel free to get in touch via our socials or our website⬇️

https://t.co/3M0VmHMoDw

We can’t wait to see you all at @TilsleyPark tomorrow🫵

[Cheltenham Town @CTFCofficial]

JT WITH HIS FIRST TOWN GOAL 🔥🙌

[Procision Oxford Football Academy @ProcisionOxford]

⚽️Procision Oxford Male & Female Open Days⚽️

This October half term we are hosting a male and female open day for all new applicants and students looking to explore their potential next steps✅

This will include an information session along with a training session to give you a feel for what life is like being apart of the Procision Oxford Family❤️

With transportation from all around Oxfordshire we’d love to see as many of you as possible🫵

For more information get in touch via our socials or our website💻

https://t.co/3M0VmHLQNY

[Procision Oxford Football Academy @ProcisionOxford]

⚽️Football Open Days⚽️

On the 30th of October we are running an open day for our Male and Female football education courses✅

Come along to meet all our staff as well as find out all information regarding the education, football and our unique environment❤️

To register your interest scan the QR code or apply via our website - https://t.co/3M0VmHLQNY

We can’t wait to see you all on the 30th😅

[Procision Oxford Football Academy @ProcisionOxford]

🚨FA YOUTH CUP🚨

Monday Night we host Sandhurst Town in the FAYC⚽️

Make sure you come down and get behind the lads in this big game at Loop Meadow🏟️👇

[Procision Oxford Football Academy @ProcisionOxford]

The boys highlight reel isn’t too shabby either 😍⚽️