Episode 62

 Then importance of positive influences. 

 Alan Mahon moved to Birkenhead as a teenager, turning down offers from Chelsea and Middlesborough amongst others. Heavily influenced by his Father, Alan wanted to move somewhere where his first team opportunities would be plentiful. At the time, Tranmere were a high flying Division 1 (championship) side, and had players in their ranks such as Pat Nevin, John Aldridge, and Liam O'Brien. During his five years with Tranmere, Alan played over 100 times, and was a crucial part of the 1999/2000 team that reacher a Worthington Cup Final, and Fa Cup 1/4 final. 

Mahon moved to Lisbon, playing in the champions league, before returning to England and appearing for Blackburn, Wigan, Burnley, Ipswich, Cardiff and Blackpool, before returning to Prenton Park in 2009. What felt like a fairytale return to the club, quickly turned sour as the clubs performances on the pitch under manager John Barnes saw the club floundering at the bottom of the table. 

By 2011, Alan Mahon had hung up his boots, and terminated his contract with Tranmere 12 months early. The loss of his father, combined with the difficulty he was having competing physically, Alan decided he didn't want to be blocking the path for young players like Aaron Cresswell if he had nothing to contribute.

Alan spent some years out of the game before returning as a coach at Manchester City women's team, stepping is as interim manager last year before resuming his current role as assistant to former Tranmere man Gareth Taylor. 

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If you have been affected by any of the themes discussed in today's episode, we have listed some organisations below who are there if you need to talk:

Samaritans 

https://www.samaritans.org/

Papyrus UK

Papyrus Website

CALM ZONE

https://www.thecalmzone.net/help/helpline/

MIND

https://www.mind.org.uk/

The Kaleidoscope Plus Group

https://www.kaleidoscopeplus.org.uk/