Managers Report Update November 2011

Above: Saints goalkeeper Kelvin Davis and Southern Health NHS chief executive Katrina watching the match, with the crowd watching behind.

 

Well the pain of losing 5-1 to Spain and letting the world cup slip through our fingers is fading and the excitement and expectation of the rematch is growing. All the players of Southfield Saints are determined to concede less and score more while enjoying the whole experience and having fun. The prospect of raising more money for Dreams Come True children’s charity is brilliant as well. With the crowds support this will be a success no mater what happens on the pitch.

 My thoughts at the moment are focused on looking back on how far Southfield Saints has come. A new website, three charity games at Totton stadium, Saints Foundation coaches training the team, being a recognised FIFA team, playing in a league, and now looking on to the trip to Old Trafford.

Thanks must go to Steve Garley and Hedge End Methodist Football Club for supporting Southfield Saints and all it Stands for which is to end mental health discrimination and give patients a real and lasting experience that will help in their recovery

Below is the managers blog.


Paul Willis, manager and player of Southfield United FC

Southfield use football to fight stigma - Manager's Report

Being part of the team has allowed the patients to have a distraction from their illness, a connection to everyday life and a sense of achievement"
Paul Willis, Manager of Southfield United

Throughout the 11 years I have worked for the Trust I have created various football and cricket events for the Southfield unit's staff and patients.

This year I wanted to create an event that would be on a bigger scale to the others I had done in the past. I wanted an event that would not only promote exercise and a healthy mind, but also break the stigma attached to mental health and create an equal environment. Within weeks of my initial idea I’d found a group of willing players, a football kit was being designed, Southampton Football Club were offering their support and Southfield United FC was created.

I have spent the past six-months working closely with the patients to train, guide and mould them into a football team, and every week for three nights I have been proud to watch them train in all kinds of weather.

I’m so proud that Southampton FC have come on board, the lift and inspiration this has given my players has been priceless.

Regardless of the result as a team Southfields have already won. My initial idea was to create an event, but actually it is more than that. We already have matches lined up for September, an ambition for entering the premiership league next year, not to mention the difference being part of a team has made to the patients. They now have a distraction from their problems, a connection to everyday life and a sense of achievement. A number have given up smoking, they’re more focused, are fitter and sleeping better, have enjoyed every aspect of being part of something; and more importantly, they feel equal.

Until Southfield United FC was created a number of patients felt restricted living in a locked-door environment, yet now they feel equal having trained and shared the same aspiration as members of staff. I’m proud of how much effort each player has put into the game and how far we as a team have come. When we started we were running around a soggy field with no equipment, and now look at us!

I would like to say thank you to all staff and patients that were involved, Southampton Football Club’s John, Mark and Phil; our modern matron Joan Brock for her much-needed support. Thanks to Alison Shore and Marion Garrett for donating equipment such as cones, bibs and balls. Thanks to the occupational therapy and communication’s team for their support throughout the process, and importantly – Romsey Saint’s manager Dave Minton for agreeing to play us.
 

 

Charity Matches

Since this match, Southfield United have played against Hedge End Methodist Football Club. The two teams played at the Testwood Stadium in Totton as part of a world cup final themed charity match. Southfield were England and Hedge End were Spain. All proceeds went to the charity Dreams Come True. Hundreds of people attended, as Hedge End ran out 5-1 winners despite a very good effort from Southfield. Everyone enjoyed the evening, along with raising money at the same time.

The two teams played again at the Testwood stadium, where Southfield put in an extremely good effort, the scoreline was much closer this time round compared to the last charity match, as Hedge End MFC came out 2-0 winners.

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