Episode 27

Making the intangible, tangible, the therapy of articulating your thoughts.

In today's episode, we discuss Kelly's struggles with depression and anxiety, how she used self harm as a release, and her decision to write about her mental health. 

We also ask Kelly about her love of football, and how it should be more appreciated as a mental health resource. 

Known as the always excellent Kelly Welles, in this interview, she's all that and more!

Due to Dan's current isolation period, we're back on Google hangout for this week, but back nonetheless!

You can find Kelly's fantastic blog here:

Below is a link to her book, The Fear:

You can find us on Twitter @marking_man and don't forget to use the hashtag #WheresTheTalkingLads 

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/

"You're not fit to wear the shirt!"

We've all heard the chant, or been found singing it once or twice, but as football fans, do ever think about what it must feel like to hear it as a player?

We discuss player abuse, from a burning effigy of David Beckham, to Granit Xhaka being booed off the pitch, and the modern day iteration of abuse taking place on social media. 

Can we have football without abuse? It's an important question to ask when considering the mental health of footballers. 

You can find us on Twitter @marking_man and don't forget to use the hashtag #WheresTheTalkingLads 

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/

Episode 26

Identity; the masks we wear. 

Today's episode features two guests, Danny Gray, founder of War Paint, a men's makeup brand, and Darren Eadie, former Norwich City player. 

In August of this year, Norwich City announced a partnership with War Paint, as they aim to promote choice for men when it comes to pride in their appearance. 

Danny Gray suffered with body dysmorphia as a teenager, which caused anxiety and depression in later life, which prompted him start war paint, we talk to Danny about their ethos as we explore the idea of identity. Darren Eadie, who's identity was intrinsically linked to his football career, had his childhood dream ripped away from him at the age of 28, after succumbing to injury. 

You can find us on Twitter @marking_man and don't forget to use the hashtag #WheresTheTalkingLads 

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/

Episode 25

The guy beneath the tough exterior.

Guy Branston played for 20 clubs during his 20 year career. He was known. as a tough tackling, hard working, never say die centre half. There is no denying that's true, Guy was popular at all of the clubs he played for, because he represented the team and the badge how all fans want. 

But during this interview, we take a look beneath that tough exterior, and hear some stories about Guy's childhood, difficult times he faced during his career, and his experience of suicide. 

You can find us on Twitter @marking_man and don't forget to use the hashtag #WheresTheTalkingLads 

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/

Episode 24

Football owners: Custodians, culture and community.

In August 2014, following Tranmere's relegation to League Two, it was announced that former player, and former Chief Executive of the FA Mark Palios would be taking over the club with his wife Nicola. 

Since that time, Mark and Nicola have transformed Tranmere Rovers back into the proud, working class club it once was, following years of neglect. 

We discuss the pressures of ownership, Mark and Nicola's thoughts on gambling in football, the work the club does to promote good mental health in the local community, as well as so much more. 

During these episodes we will take a look back at examples of mental ill health in football from yesteryear. 

In 1976, Dave Clement made his long awaited England debut, in February of 1982, he had taken his own life at the age of 34. 

There aren't many QPR players that are awarded an England cap, even fewer who played over 400 games for the club. Dave achieved both, and so much more. 

But when his career was abruptly ended following a broken leg, Dave fell into a deep depression, which ultimately led to his suicide. 

I am joined by lifelong QPR fan Martin Percival, to discuss Dave's career, and his untimely death. 

Episode 23

"The purity of football."

Thomas Rongen played with Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer, but ultimately his love and belief in football stands him apart even from those legends. 

Thomas was the star of the 2014 film Next Goal Wins, a film about the journey of American Samoa, known at the time as the worst team in the world, as they sought their first ever win. 

Thomas loves football, and he embodies the purity of football. He has experienced loss, trauma and grief, beyond the realms of most people. His journey with American Samoa, allows him to cry in front of people for the first time in a long time. 

We talk to Thomas about where his relationship with football began, his thoughts on the purity of football, and of course everything he experienced with American Samoa. 

What should football fans reasonably expect from their club? And do unrealistic expectations impact the enjoyment of football? 

Ahead of the new season, we're back with another NFMC episode, and this time we're discussing the expectations of fans. 

We talk Everton, Newcastle, Bournemouth, Stoke, West Ham, amongst others. Should fans temper their expectations to reduce their potential disappointment? Or should they demand the world on a platter from their clubs?

Don't forget to check out our Twitter feed, you can find us @marking_man and don't forget to use the hashtag #WheresTheTalkingLads 

You can also support us via Patreon, just search for "man marking podcast" on Patreon. 

Episode 22

"Football, a family tradition."

Nigel Adderley has commentated for BBC, Talksport, BT Sport, as well as numerous others. In May 2019, Nigel commentated on his beloved Tranmere Rovers, as they faced Newport County in the league two playoff final. 

12 months previous, Nigel had decided not to attend Tranmere's national league playoff final with Boreham Wood, following a painful defeat at Wembley 12 months previous against Forest Green Rovers.

Five months before the playoff final, Nigel's father had passed away, and on the advice of his mother, Nigel took an offer to voice the Newport Tranmere playoff final for Talksport. After a nervy 119 minutes of action, Nigel belted out the words "Jennings with the header. . .Jennings has done it."

After the match, Mark Saggers praised Nigel for being so composed and unbiased whilst commentating on his own team, and that his father would be proud of him. At that moment, Nigel broke down in tears. The emotions of the previous six months, coupled with the ecstasy of the late winner, all came out at once. 

We talk to Nigel about his career as a commentator, the ups and the downs, his love of football, and its inextricable link to family. 

During these episodes we will take a look back at examples of mental ill health in football from yesteryear. 

In 1990, Justin Fashanu announced to the world that he was a gay man. In 1998, Justin sadly took his own life. 

In this episode, we look back at the life of Justin Fashanu, Britain's first and only top level gay footballer. We try to get a better understanding of who Justin really was, and the difficulties he experienced, by speaking to his friend Alan Quick, and Jon Holmes of Sky Sports. 

This episode also features Aslie Pitter, one of the founder members of Stonewall FC, the UK's first and most successful gay football team, as we try to get a clear picture on what life was like as a black, gay man in the 1980's and 1990's. 

What can we learn from Justin's story? Is homophobia in football still present in 2020?Why haven't there been any other out gay footballers at the top level in Britain?

This episode was made to honour the memory of Justin Fashanu, and hopefully continue to improve football's relationship with the gay community.