Taboo on the Terraces

In the final episode of Season Two, Ryan is joined by former Stevenage, Fleetwood Town, Cambridge United and Forest Green Rovers defender Mark Roberts. Mark's football career has spanned 20 years and has included leading his teams out as captain at Wembley and Old Trafford. He currently plays for Warrington Town but Mark has also been just as influential to others off the pitch as on it in various roles he has taken on towards the end of his career.

Alongside his playing career Mark works as a High Performance Consultant & Professional Mindset Consultant, working alongside organisations such as League Football Education, Mental Health UK, and also running his own business, Lead Grow Pro. Mark shares advice and tips on building resilience and empowerment in this fantastic episode.

Please check out our other podcast episodes, and head over to www.tabooontheterraces.co.uk to find helpful resources and contact information if you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode.

Sarah Rhind is the current Hamilton Academical Women's FC number 1. Alongside playing for the Accies in the Scottish Women’s Premier League 1, Sarah also works for Street Soccer Scotland, an organisation that brings football to socially disadvantaged groups, and who Sarah credits with supporting her in her own football career and personal life.

Sarah is easily one of the most inspirational people that we have had on the podcast to date. From an early age she suffered with anxiety and negative self-image, which led to extremely tough periods in her life. This included using self-harm as a coping mechanism, but also later an addiction to drugs. But at her lowest and with the help and support of those around her, Sarah was able to turn her life around. As well as her football, which she credits as always being 'her escape', Sarah also shares other lessons for anyone experiencing similar issues on how they too can find themselves in a much better place.

Please check out our other podcast episodes, and head over to www.tabooontheterraces.co.uk to find helpful resources and contact information if you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode.

Pat McGibbon was a centre half in his playing days and spent the majority of his time in England with Wigan Athletic, also representing Scunthorpe, Tranmere Rovers, and Manchester United where he began his career. Pat also turned out for Portadown and Glentoran in his native Northern Ireland and was capped 7 times for the Northern Irish national team, before moving in to management. Pat took the time to tell listeners and host Ryan about his international career, and his Wigan days including playing alongside now Belgium manager Roberto Martinez.

Away from playing football, Pat has been commended for his work in supporting the mental health of young people in Northern Ireland through his club and ultimate passion Train 2 B Smart. TTBS aim to promote positive mental health and well-being through sport, and Pat recounts his own life story and the motivations behind setting up TTBS.

Please check out our other podcast episodes, and head over to www.tabooontheterraces.co.uk to find helpful resources and contact information if you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode.

Blair Hamilton currently plays for Hastings United Women in the London & South East Women's Division 1 South at Step 6 in the women's football pyramid, and has previously represented Stonehaven Ladies and Montpelier Villa, amongst other sides. Blair is also one of the UK's first transgender footballers.

In an informative and educational conversation, Blair shares her journey inside and outside of football including her transition, the perceptions of her teammates and opponents after moving from men's to women's football, and how she hopes to inspire and educate people about the trans athlete debate. Blair's story will serve as an inspiration to anyone, and we are proud to share her journey through the podcast.

Please check out our other podcast episodes, and head over to www.tabooontheterraces.co.uk to find helpful resources and contact information if you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode.

Cristian Montano is know as a versatile footballer, able to play anywhere from left back to centre forward. He began his career in the UK with West Ham United after emigrating from his native Colombia, and has also played for Oldham Athletic, Bristol Rovers, Port Vale, and now Livingston in the Scottish Premiership. Cristian speaks with Ryan about moving to England as a young boy, his own podcast and clothing brand, and his career in football.

Cristian has endured a turbulent personal life outside of football during his career, including being caught up in the 2013 English football match-fixing scandal and allegations of money laundering, but also some other unspeakable accusations, all of which were eventually dropped with no charges brought. This turbulent period in his life however led Cristian to his darkest depths and his mental health plummeted, and led to an attempt to take his own life. Having come through that awful time and re-building his career, Cristian shares his journey and advice for others experiencing poor mental health.

Please check out our other podcast episodes, and head over to www.tabooontheterraces.co.uk to find helpful resources and contact information if you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode.

James Green is a freelance Sports Broadcaster, Reporter and Presenter who you can regularly see on Sky Sports News reporting from outside stadiums on the latest breaking developments in football, but also on shows including Early Kick Off and The Transfer Show. James has also worked for other companies including ITV and UEFA. He shares highlights from his reporting career in football to date including covering Newcastle's recent takeover, coffees with Tony Adams and shots with Ray Parlour, but also advice and tips for anyone considering a career in sports journalism.

Alongside his professional career, in the last 12 months James has championed through fundraising the Saying Goodbye Charity, who do incredible work in the area of baby loss and bereavement. This came after James and his partner suffered a missed miscarriage in early 2021. It is estimated 1 in 4 pregnancies will end in miscarriage, a disgustingly high number, but James and his partner are believers in sharing their story and experience in order to help others. In easily the most sensitive conversation we have had on the podcast, James discusses with Ryan how this period affected his mental health, but also how he was able to handle their loss and begin to heal. If this conversation helps even one person, then it has done its job.

Please check out our other podcast episodes, and head over to www.tabooontheterraces.co.uk to find helpful resources and contact information if you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode.

Alan Tonge began his career in the youth and reserve setups at Manchester United during the early days of Sir Alex Ferguson's reign, but left in search of first-team football in 1991 and played for Exeter City under Alan Ball. Alan discusses his early career with host Ryan, what it was like playing alongside Ryan Giggs at a young age and also the hugely talented Adrian Docherty, and what it was like to work under World Cup-winner Ball.

Alan suffered a career-ending injury that cut short his playing days in his early-20's. Forced retirement led to a lot of change in Alan's life and for a long period he felt lost and as a result, his own mental health deteriorated. Alan talks about how he was able to move through such a tough period in his life and the lessons he has learnt, which he now passes on to his students at UCFB.

Please check out our other podcast episodes, and head over to our website www.tabooontheterraces.co.uk to find helpful resources and contact information if you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode.

Alistair Patrick-Heselton began his footballing career as a schoolboy with Wycombe Wanderers before later moving to QPR, and later went on to star for England and Paralympics GB in Cerebral Palsy football. Alistair was also inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame in 2017.

We discuss Alistair's life in football but also recount how his life changed following an accident in 2006, and the work Alistair has gone on to do since then including public speaking, athlete mentoring, and also working alongside Sport Against Suicide as a Suicide Prevention Disability Lead.

Please check out our other podcast episodes, and head over to our website www.tabooontheterraces.co.uk to find helpful resources and contact information if you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode.

Charlie Hartfield was a no-nonsense midfield enforcer during his playing days, and began his career in the youth ranks at Arsenal before spending six years at Sheffield United, which included playing in the Premier League. Charlie also played for Swansea City, Lincoln City and Telford. We discuss Charlie's career, including an infamous incident with the one and only Eric Cantona.

Charlie shares the story of his often turbulent life away from football. He has overcome a gambling addiction which plagued his life for many years, but also speaks with incredible honesty about how his 'gamblers mindset' led to his involvement in criminal activity and time spent in prison. He shares advice for others struggling with gambling addiction, but also speaks of how his positive mindset has prepared him for one of the biggest personal challenges of his life that he currently faces.

Please check out our other podcast episodes, and head over to our website www.tabooontheterraces.co.uk to find helpful resources and contact information if you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode.

Brooke Cochrane is Newcastle United Women FC's captain and is a 'Be a Game Changer' ambassador with the Newcastle United Foundation. The campaign aims to support people in the north east with mental and physical wellness advice. In November 2019 Brooke suffered an ACL tear and had surgery in March 2020, just before the first UK lockdown.

This led to Brooke suffering with her own mental wellbeing, compounded by feeling isolated, being unable to see friends, and the worry of possibly not being able to play the game she loves again due to her injury. Brooke opens up with host Ryan about that difficult point in her life, but also how came out of that tough period and returned to playing for Newcastle.

Please check out our other podcast episodes, and head over to our website www.tabooontheterraces.co.uk to find helpful resources and contact information if you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode.