Ollerton Town Football Club announce partnership with men’s mental health group In Sam’s Name

A football club has announced that they will work alongside a men's mental health support group.

Ollerton Town Football Club said that they were delighted to announce In Sam's Name as an official club partner on their website.

In Sam’s Name is a talking group for men in North Nottinghamshire who have either been through or are currently going through, a challenging time.

It was founded in memory of Sam “Sponge” Fisher who died in October 2021.

Sam was described as a cheeky, loveable character with a heart of gold. His passions were teaching, music, football, and fashion.

The group said they encourage men to speak out and give men the chance to speak in confidence to one another and find support amongst the group.

They have regular meetings in Worksop and Retford but have also begun to operate in Ollerton on a fortnightly basis.

The group hopes that the partnership with the football club will get more men in the local area talking.

“I think it’s vitally important that groups like In Sam’s Name exist and I couldn’t be happier to be working with them moving forward,” said Ollerton Town chairman Liam Kent.

“Men’s mental health is such a huge issue, across the country, but sadly Ollerton has felt the effects of it too, and hopefully by us working together, it can help men out there who may be struggling.

“When I took over as Chairman, I felt it was important that the club give back to the local community.

"We always go out into the town, looking for sponsorship and things like that but it can’t be all take.

"Therefore I wanted to find a worthwhile cause for us to support which is when I found about In Sam’s Name.

“I contacted the guys and they were open to the idea and as the conversation developed, it evolved into this fantastic new partnership.

“I thank them for their support of the club and planning is already underway for how we can in-turn support them further and help them grow.”

In Sam’s Name has agreed to come on board as the club's official training kit sponsor of the club.

In return, the club has agreed to promote their work at games, across social media, and in the match day programme.

The club will also be working closely with In Sam’s Name across the season on different fundraising ideas.

“In Sam's Name is pleased to announce the partnership between ourselves and Ollerton Town Football Club," said a spokesman from the In Sam's Name group.

"We are happy to be able to impact the community positively with the safe space for males that In Sam's Name provides.

“As a group, we want to break the stigma of males talking about their mental health and to prevent suicide.

"For more information about our peer support meetings contact info@insamsname.co.uk or go to https://insamsname.co.uk.”

“Following the tragic loss of young men in our community, I reached out to In Sam's Name to see if they would support setting up a group here," said Lee Brazier, district councillor for Ollerton.

“To know that they are going to be in partnership with our wonderful Ollerton Town Football Club is brilliant and brings them to the forefront of our male community.

“I look forward to seeing this partnership grow and hopefully having In Sam's Name as a focal point will get people talking.”