This article was submitted by Sam Wraight - Young Ambassador for DadSpace
It’s not every day you see fathers and sons take to a football pitch together.
“Football is quite powerful you know!” smiled Denver King, after DadSpace battled their way to a 4-4 draw against the Maidstone United Supporters Club at the Gallagher Stadium.
In a world where mental strength is often measured in silence, the DadSpace charity match offered a different scoreboard – the one that tallies up the victories of courage, compassion and connection across an incredible group of lads.
For some, they’re reviving cherished memories from young, savouring the competition, the challenge and the pressure of matchday.
For others, just pulling on the DadSpace shirt, lacing up their boots and stepping foot on the pitch saw them become not only a player, but a champion of men’s mental health.
I don’t usually talk in first person as the author of these articles, but I had the privilege of playing a part in this spectacular event.
So here’s my experience, accompanied with stories that stood out to me and some words from Denver King…
I’ve loved football my whole life, taking every opportunity to play outside the back of my house and six a side weekly, representing eight or nine teams over the last few years.
One thing I haven’t done is play a lot of eleven-a-side, only representing my school on a handful of occasions.
It’s also rare to get the opportunity to play across ages with your family, or in my case, the person who got me into football – my uncle.
The chance to play at the Gallagher Stadium, the home of Maidstone United, with my uncle and friends wasn’t going to be missed.
As a 20-year-old lad, I might not fully understand the real importance of DadSpace and what it can do for people, so I looked forward to scoring goals, taking people on and winning tackles.
In hindsight, the football was great, but the event was bigger. Check out some highlighst form the event below:
Back at home, whenever I look out my window, I’ve seen my neighbour – Parker Callow – growing up so fast. This summer so far, he (with his dad Rob) has come over to have a kick about whenever I’m playing football.
Rob jokes about ‘Project Mbappe’ and getting ‘Parky’ into football, but we’ve both said that playing football with Parker properly in a few years will be some of the best memories he will have as a dad.
Seeing him and Parker (who was dressed in his brand-new England kit) walk out together was awesome. Parker also has his first idol to look up to after Rob netted twice in 45 minutes.
Someone a bit older who is following their dad’s footsteps is Euan Coveney, with a similar playing style and position to his dad Ben (all be it less dirty, haha). Euan scored the final goal of the game – a fourth for DadSpace – deservedly drawing them level.
These stories are throughout the DadSpace team. Stuart Ansell was coaching his sons Thomas and Charlie, just like his dad Steve would do for him years ago. Steve was at the Gallagher Stadium to step in as manager when Stuart shared the pitch with Tom, a full circle moment for all three generations.
It was more than just a football match for Andy Huggins, admitting to the WhatsApp group: “After all this time, you still can’t beat a game with your mates, and to top it off I got to play with both my boys as well. Money can’t buy that feeling.”
Whilst some of the families experienced the joys of playing together, we were also reminded of the challenges and loss that life can bring.
Denver announced before the game that a minute’s silence was being held for Angela Rosemeyer – a supporter and generous donor towards the DadSpace kits with her husband Simon.
The heartfelt moment before kick-off brought us together in empathy and support, with DadSpace uniting in memory of Angela.
Denver King reflected on the event emotionally
“Last night was incredible, wasn’t it? You’re in a changing room with people who have never met each other, but they are unified by sport. Some dads won’t get an opportunity like that to play with their sons. This is what it’s all about.”
He spoke about the project as a whole: “DadSpace is brotherly support between fathers, providing a safe space for dads to talk, listen and share experiences of fatherhood.
“Whether you’re a single dad, an expecting dad, a dad with teenage kids, or kids who have left home, everyone can come along and talk about the elements of fatherhood and family life in a safe space.
“I’m very proud of what DadSpace has become, to see how far we’ve come is so powerful.”
So, finally from me, I’d like to thank Denver for letting us kick it for a superb cause in DadSpace.
Only recently has the spotlight been on men being more open about their emotions. I’d describe DadSpace as ‘therapy in a social sense’ which is certainly the way forward, offering a more comfortable and relatable environment to grow in.
It’s the camaraderie, support and shared experiences as to why the charitable match was so special. If ever in need of support, a helping hand, a chat or even a mate, I know that this group of lads would have my back.
The evening summed up the emotions, navigating the complexities of fatherhood can often feel like a solitary journey, but walking out onto the Gallagher Stadium pitch, you felt far from alone.
Would like to be a DadSpace Ambasador? or to submit an article to appear here on our website? Please get in touch via email: info@dadspace.co.uk
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