Latest news with #ex-Wales
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Footie tickets to be prescribed on NHS in bid to stop over-use of antidepressant pills
It is hoped the scheme will encourage those with mental health issues to engage in social activities, boosting their wellbeing BEAT THE BLUES Footie tickets to be prescribed on NHS in bid to stop over-use of antidepressant pills Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FREE tickets to football matches will be dished out on the NHS to people with depression under a landmark mental health scheme announced today. Patients at GP surgeries in Gloucestershire will be given the chance to attend games at National League side Forest Green Rovers as an alternative to medication. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Robbie Savage, Forest Green Rovers manager, has previously spoken openly about his own mental struggles as a player and coach Credit: Getty 2 Free tickets to football matches will be dished out on the NHS to people with depression under a landmark scheme Credit: Getty The scheme is designed to wean those suffering from mental health conditions off addictive antidepressants and get them out of the house to meet pals. Some 91 million prescriptions for the sadness-busting drugs were dispensed in 2024, the equivalent of around three every second. A record amount of antidepressants were also handed to children, including almost 4000 prescriptions for those under ten in 2024. The new footy proposal follows suggestions by Labour MP Dr Simon Opher, a key advocate for social prescriptions for patients with mild mental health conditions. Dr Opher, 61, has previously championed NHS-sanctioned comedy nights and gardening to help improve mental wellbeing. The Labour MP for Stroud, in south Gloucestershire, joined widescale conern over the increasing number of people being prescribed pills where doing so could be avoided. Dr Opher found that 80 per cent of patients who are prescribed social activities instead of drugs continue with them even after their 'course' runs out. Many patients say meeting new people through their chosen activity, including exercise, walking groups or cooking clubs, reduces lonliness and makes them feel better. The doctor went on: 'I do think there's something about watching football which does give you a sense of community. 'I think one of the biggest problems in our society is social isolation. Britain's greenest football club Forest Green Rovers create eco-friendly kit made from coffee beans 'Football is about socialising and roaring on your team, getting excited, taking yourself out of your own life for a short while, and living through something else.' Forest Green Rovers, who appointed tough-tackling ex-Wales midfielder Robbie Savage as manager earlier this month, have provided the tickets for free as part of the trial. BBC pundit and radio host Savage, 50, has previously spoken openly about his own mental struggles as a player and coach. In 2017, he said: 'As soon as the lights go out and the mic is off, I go back into my shell. I go home, I worry. I am insecure, very insecure.' 'Lots of current and ex-footballers, or just people in the workplace, suffer from these mental health issues but don't speak.' The club, which boasts of being Britain's most eco-friendly footy side, were relegated from the Football League to the National League last year — but are looking to be promoted back to League Two this season. Club owner and major Labour donor Dale Vince said: 'I think it'd be a great thing if football clubs up and down the country could reach out to people and do this. 'Men typically don't really talk about their issues, that's the thing, and you get loneliness and things like that as well.' Dr Opher's concerns about over-prescribing began early in his career as a GP in 1995. Depression... the signs to look for and what to do Depression can manifest in many ways. We all feel a bit low from time to time. But depression is persistent and can make a person feel helpless and unable to see a way through. They may also struggle to about daily life. Mind says these are some common signs of depression that you may experience: How you might feel Down, upset or tearful Restless, agitated or irritable Guilty, worthless and down on yourself Empty and numb Isolated and unable to relate to other people Finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy Angry or frustrated over minor things A sense of unreality No self-confidence or self-esteem Hopeless and despairing Feeling tired all the time How you might act Avoiding social events and activities you usually enjoy Self-harming or suicidal behaviour Difficulty speaking, thinking clearly or making decisions Losing interest in sex Difficulty remembering or concentrating on things Using more tobacco, alcohol or other drugs than usual Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much No appetite and losing weight, or eating more than usual and gaining weight Physical aches and pains with no obvious physical cause Moving very slowly, or being restless and agitated If you feel this way, visit your GP who can help you. If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support. The following are free to contact and confidential: Samaritans, 116 123, jo@ CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) 0800 585 858 Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) 0800 068 41 41 Shout (for support of all mental health) text 85258 to start a conversation Mind, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@ or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary). YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too. Rethink Mental Illness, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate). He said: 'I'd started seeing there are a lot of people depressed out there, a lot of people with low mood, so I started putting a lot of them on antidepressants or referring them to mental health. 'Quite a few of them, one in four, maybe even more, would just come back no better, but with intractable problems. 'What I realised is that tablets didn't help them, we had nothing to help them. 'I thought we needed to try something different and do a different behaviour.' Football clubs have previously been involved in so-called social prescriptions. In 2019, Championship side Portsmouth FC ran a 'Men's Kitchen' club for men who were recently divorced or bereaved and suffering from social isolation. Sheffield United put on walking groups for fans struggling to get out of the house, while Bristol Rovers organised a kickabout for supporters with anxiety.
Wales Online
11-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Gareth Bale and Cardiff City: The truth behind the conflicting stories and rumours
Gareth Bale and Cardiff City: The truth behind the conflicting stories and rumours Gareth Bale has said he has submitted 'another offer' as part of a consortium to take over Cardiff City Gareth Bale, Sami Khedira comment for DAZN the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semi-final match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid (Image: Getty Images ) Gareth Bale has once again sent Cardiff City supporters' minds racing after a series of appearances on American television on Thursday evening. The former Real Madrid star and ex-Wales captain has said a consortium, of which he is front and centre, has tabled "another bid" to buy Cardiff City, believing the offer to be "more than fair". It comes after he revealed his desire to be part of a takeover bid in order to get his hometown club —which currently finds itself readying for a League One campaign— back to the Premier League. The emergence of Bale as a potential figurehead in a Cardiff City ownership consortium has not only set tongues wagging, but has served as a vehicle for rumour and speculation over the last few weeks. Here, we take a deeper dive into the situation as it stands. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community Bale's second offer claim Let's recap. On Thursday night, Bale made the following claim on FOS Today: "It's exciting news. We have a brand-new offer on the table, which has recently gone in. 'We think it's a great offer. One we think is very fair, if not more than fair, and it's something we hope the current owners will take seriously. Article continues below "We'd love them to accept so we can take full control so we can get on with what we want to do and create Cardiff into a club we know it can be." He also said to ESPN: "We are interested in trying to take over Cardiff. We have actually put in a great new offer that we hope we can get feedback (from). "We think it's a very good offer for where the club is at. It's kind of out of our hands now and we are looking forward to seeing what develops with that. Things are exciting and I'm looking forward to what the future holds." Bale's consortium have clearly registered interest in taking over the club, but it is disputed that serious, official bids have been lodged. Although it is possible that definitions on the term 'bid' differ. By the literal sense in football club takeover terms, a bid would include a heads of terms, proof of funds and full disclosure of who is behind the money, none of which have been submitted to Cardiff City, sources say. Cardiff have received a letter of intent, which includes financial figures, and have had dialogue with those associated with interest in a takeover, but to suggest that means they are at any sort of advanced stage —with any bidder— is wide of the mark. A takeover being at an advanced stage would see Cardiff having to open the books for the interested party in order for them to do their due diligence per an exclusivity agreement. Again, that is not the case at time of writing. Reports have suggested the figure mentioned is anywhere between £20m and £40m. While official numbers are not known, it is understood the proposed offer, for want of a better phrase, is well below that upper number. The group have been told that what they were suggesting is way below what the club would deem a credible offer, if one were to be submitted officially. Supporters are curious as to why Cardiff have not issued an official statement addressing the former Wales star's claims, however they insist their stance has always been to not respond to speculation — and just because Bale is attached to this, they won't make an exception. Would Vincent Tan sell? A key question, really. Vincent Tan has been a divisive figure among City supporters for some time. Some walked away when he changed the kit colour and the badge and never returned. Others recognise the £250m he has put into the club and the two promotions he has also overseen. Relegations do, however, outweigh the promotions at time of writing, of course. Tan's stance has been pretty consistent for some time now, that everything is for sale except for family. However, to suggest he would sell to just anyone is wrong. He continues to insist that he cares deeply about the club and he would not burn through so much money if he did not. Any consortium who takes over Cardiff City has to have vast, vast sums of money and must be willing to burn through £15m to £20m every year — because that is the cost of running such an organisation. That being said, Bale's group is not the only interested party. There are other, well-funded people who have shown an interest in taking over Cardiff and if there are viable investors, who have the cash to back it up, Tan will listen. If an interested party doesn't meet the criteria then Tan is willing to continue putting his money where his mouth is in order to get Cardiff back to the Championship, per his pledge to supporters back in April. Opinions differ on just how willing Tan would be to sell the club. He desperately wants success, he wants Premier League football again. But his pockets have taken a massive, eyewatering hit, he is two promotions away from the top flight and he is 73 years of age now. But it has been reiterated that if Tan was to ever sell, it would be to a credible, well-funded person or group and he is insistent that he cares deeply about who would take on he mantle and does not want to leave the club in bad hands. Does this impact transfers? A prevailing narrative swirling around the lack of transfer activity is that Cardiff are in the middle of being sold and Tan will not invest as a result. That, we are told, is very much not the case. Indeed, the club are hoping to pick up their transfer activity when the first-team squad returns from their pre-season tour of Spain this weekend. It is understood that City are close on one target and understand they have some work to do in order to make Brian Barry-Murphy's squad ready for a promotion or title tilt next season. A centre back, right back, left back and a winger are all thought to be on the shopping list after a summer of exits thus far. Cardiff are the only League One side yet to make any additions to their first-team squad. Other rumours such as all departments being called into a meeting next week to be informed of a pending takeover are also false. Sources state that it continues as "business as usual" until what they deem a credible offer has been formally submitted to them. Article continues below It is impossible to rule out whether that will materialise, of course, with Bale's group or others, and it is likely to be something that runs for some time yet this summer. Cardiff declined to make a comment. WalesOnline have also contacted sources close to the consortium for comment. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.
Wales Online
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as ex-Wales coach finds new job with 'right fit' and Farrell's treatment of Lions star 'odd'
Today's rugby news as ex-Wales coach finds new job with 'right fit' and Farrell's treatment of Lions star 'odd' These are the rugby stories making morning headlines on Tuesday, July 8 Marcus Smith (left) with Lions team-mate Finn Russell (Image:) These are your morning headlines on Tuesday, July 8 Forshaw: Tigers 'the right fit' Former Wales coach Mike Forshaw says he's excited to join Leicester Tigers, seeing the English giants as "the right fit" for him. Forshaw joins the Tigers after three seasons with Wales working with Warren Gatland. His contract officially came to an end last month and was not considered for the tour to Japan this summer. He now has a new challenge alongside head coach Geoff Parling at Welford Road, where he will fulfil the role of defence coach. Article continues below 'After moving on from Wales, I wanted to find the right fit for me and that is definitely Leicester Tigers," he said. "I wouldn't class myself as a journeyman coach; I like to make an impact wherever I go and help build something over a period of time. 'I think the DNA of the club, around working hard for one another and being physical, really suits me. 'It is an exciting time for the club, with Geoff taking over, and it is great to be able to be a part of that.' Parling added: 'I've never worked with Forsh but everyone I spoke to had positive things to say about him as a coach and him as a person. 'Leicester teams are built on great defences so I'm delighted to get someone of Forsh's standing at Tigers.' Moore: Farrell treatment of Smith 'odd' Rugby legend Brian Moore says Andy Farrell's treatment of England utility man Marcus Smith has been "odd". The Lions are now on the fringe of the business end of the tour, with the Test matches kicking off against the Wallabies a week on Saturday. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. Farrell has been giving players chances to prove themselves to him in the warm-up games so far but Smith has yet to start a match in his favoured position of fly-half. "Some say that Marcus Smith was fortunate to be picked from the outset, but it is odd that he has not been given a chance to start a game in his best position at fly-half," Moore said in his Telegraph column. "He can play at 15, but it is clearly not his strongest deployment. "It could be that he is being lined up for a role from the bench as cover for both positions. This would allow Andy Farrell to choose a 6-2 split because the other back will have to be a scrum-half. If this is not so, it is hard to see why he was selected from the start." Moore says the late call-up of Owen Farrell has not helped matters for Smith and has muddied the waters somewhat. He added: "I reiterate a point I made weeks ago – why Owen Farrell was not picked in the squad from the outset, if it was his father's intention to select him at all? "His selection could have been justified on the grounds of his experience and track record for the Lions but that was always the case. Nothing has happened since then that makes that case stronger. Had this been done originally, we would not now be waiting for him to have game time and to see whether he has recaptured his form at a level at which he has not played for some time." Farrell in line for Lions return By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent, Canberra Owen Farrell on Tuesday took part in his first full training session since joining the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia. Farrell arrived Down Under on Friday as a replacement for broken arm victim Elliot Daly and was present as the Lions stepped up preparations for Wednesday's clash with the ACT Brumbies in Canberra. The 33-year-old is in line to make the first appearance of his fourth Lions tour against an AUNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide on Saturday. Head coach Andy Farrell confirmed on Monday that his son is in contention to play in the final fixture before the first Test against Australia on July 19, having completed all his return to play protocols for concussion. His last game was for Racing 92 against Lyon when he suffered a head injury, a further setback in a season that has been interrupted by groin surgery. He played only 17 games in the 2024-25 campaign. 'I wouldn't say he's over the jet lag just yet. I think he was up all night, but haven't we all been through that? But the rest is fine,' Andy Farrell said. Farrell's call-up is controversial given his last Test for England was almost two years ago and his only season at Racing 92 was underwhelming to the point he has agreed an immediate return to Saracens. However, the management regards his experience and leadership as valuable assets, not least because he is the only player in the squad who was present for the last triumphant Lions tour, also to Australia in 2013. Johnny Sexton, the former Ireland fly-half who is the Lions' kicking coach Down Under, insists Farrell has fitted in seamlessly with the tourists. 'As you'd expect with someone with that experience, he's fitted in. He's hit the ground running, so it's great to see,' Sexton said after Tuesday's training session. 'He must have had the playbook on the plane on the way over because he came in and he's not missed a beat. 'He's been on top of things in training and that's exactly why you pick someone with experience who knows about a Lions tour because it might take someone else 10 days to fit in.' Slade out of England tour PA staff England centre Henry Slade has been ruled out of the tour of Argentina and the United States due to a hand injury. The Exeter back sustained the injury during Saturday's 35-12 win over the Pumas in the opening Test in La Plata, in which he played the full 80 minutes. England confirmed in a brief statement on X that the 32-year-old will play no further part for Steve Borthwick's squad, who are preparing for Saturday's second Test in San Juan. Article continues below Slade, one of England's senior players with 74 Test appearances, will also miss the following week's one-off Test against the USA in Washington DC. Borthwick could call on either Bath's Max Ojomoh or Harlequins' Oscar Beard for the second Test after Gloucester's Seb Atkinson made his England debut alongside Slade in the opener. England scored four tries to two in La Plata, with wing Tom Roebuck going over twice and Freddie Steward and Cadan Murley also crossing.
Scottish Sun
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Football star reveals he has become a vegan after joining eco-friendly non-league club as manager
The former ace has given up eating meat and replaced dairy with oat milk GOING GREEN Football star reveals he has become a vegan after joining eco-friendly non-league club as manager Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TOUGH-tackling footballer Robbie Savage has become a vegan after joining a non-league team as manager. The ex-Wales midfielder, who once held the Premier League record for yellow cards, is the new boss of eco-friendly Forest Green Rovers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Former football hardman Robbie Savage has gone vegan - aligning with the values of his new club, Forest Green Rovers Credit: Getty 2 Eco-warrior and green energy boss Dale Vince, is owner of the non-league club Credit: Getty The club serves only vegan food in the players' canteen and to fans on match days. And Robbie, 50, says he has aligned with the club's stance and has given up eating meat and replaced dairy with oat milk. The ex-Leicester City and Derby County star won his first pre-season game, beating Slimbridge 3-0, and is determined to get his team, based near Stroud, Gloucs, back to the football league. He added of the Cotswolds: 'It's a beautiful place, though I have a little French bulldog and I'm not sure her legs will get over the hills, I'll have to carry her.' Meanwhile, the club's owner, eco-warrior Dale Vince, has been told he needs permission to fly a giant Palestinian flag hoisted on his firm's HQ - as it is not recognised as a country. The Ecotricity boss was ordered to get planning consent for the banner, which has been hung from his offices in Stroud, Glos. Vince, who owns Forest Green Rovers, said: 'We are flying the flag out of solidarity with Palestinian people. "The council got in touch and said 'Oh, you can't actually fly that flag without planning permission because Palestine is not recognised by the British government'." What is up with you-' - Robbie Savage's harsh halftime dressing room team-talk that inspired Macclesfield to title win Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
The Irish Sun
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Football star reveals he has become a vegan after joining eco-friendly non-league club as manager
TOUGH-tackling footballer Robbie Savage has become a vegan after joining a non-league team as manager. The ex-Wales midfielder, who once held the Premier League record for yellow cards, is the new boss of eco-friendly Forest Green Rovers. 2 Former football hardman Robbie Savage has gone vegan - aligning with the values of his new club, Forest Green Rovers Credit: Getty 2 Eco-warrior and green energy boss Dale Vince, is owner of the non-league club Credit: Getty The club serves only vegan food in the players' canteen and to fans on match days. And The ex- He added of the Cotswolds: 'It's a beautiful place, though I have a little French bulldog and I'm not sure her legs will get over the hills, I'll have to carry her.' READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS Meanwhile, the club's owner, eco-warrior Dale Vince, has been told he needs permission to fly a giant Palestinian flag hoisted on his firm's HQ - as it is not recognised as a country. The Ecotricity boss was ordered to get planning consent for the banner, which has been hung from his offices in Stroud, Glos. Vince, who owns "The council got in touch and said 'Oh, you can't actually fly that flag without planning permission because Palestine is not recognised by the British government'." Most read in Football What is up with you-' - Robbie Savage's harsh halftime dressing room team-talk that inspired Macclesfield to title win Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
