Former Premier League defender Clarke Carlisle has urged football fans to look out for each other as the new season approaches. The 46-year-old, who made over 400 professional appearances and earned three England under-21 caps, suffered serious mental health challenges during and after his playing career. He admitted he attempted to take his own life when he was hit by a lorry in December 2014.
Carlisle's role as Mind chair
Carlisle is now Chair of Mind, the UK's leading mental health charity, and is looking to challenge stigma and drive change across sport and society. Last weekend, Mind and five non-league clubs came together for a charity tournament in Northumberland – 'The Better Together Cup'. The two-day event was organised by QTS Data Centers and Blyth Spartans to celebrate grassroots football and promote mental health.
QTS, which is building one of Europe's largest data centres in nearby Cambois, made a £20,000 donation to support Mind's work expanding mental health services across the region.
Football as a platform for mental health
Carlisle insists it is crucial to keep the mental health conversation going, and the football community can play an important role. "Each generation has their own new and unique challenges," he said. "But football clubs offer such a perfect environment to bring people and communities together. Without doubt, unequivocally, we are better together."
"Supporters come and watch football for their release. Any challenge or difficulty, this is an opportunity for people to get away from that and lose themselves, for 90 minutes at least."
"And because of that, football clubs also offer a fertile stomping ground to engage with fans on a meaningful one-to-one level about their mental health."
"There are still so many misconceptions. Just like our physical health, no one is immune from averse mental health."
"These are issues that affect the brain and the body, the emotional and the psychological – everybody is susceptible. Although just because we are susceptible doesn't mean that it's inevitable."
"We have to keep changing the narrative – especially the classic one around male identity – that you don't show signs of weakness."
Dan Burn's openness praised
Before the World Cup, Newcastle star Dan Burn spoke openly about his own struggles with depression and anxiety. The 34-year-old sought therapy during his early career and credits it with saving him from a "downward spiral". Burn, who played youth football at Blyth Spartans, continues to raise awareness in the North East. Carlisle has hailed the Three Lions ace for speaking out.
"It's really positive to see people who are in the public eye, with a public profile, discussing openly their mental health issues because it does normalise that conversation," added Carlisle, who had stints at Queens Park Rangers, Leeds, Watford, and Burnley. "Having shared my experience, people have said to me: 'I've watched you play in the Premier League. I didn't think it could've been an issue for you.'"
"If you are experiencing something, you don't have to be like me or Dan Burn. You don't have to tell everybody – but it's imperative that you do tell somebody at the right time."
"So, if you want it to be your business, excellent. But make it your business with the right support. Let's put all the dots on the page so any individual can control their own picture or solution."
Community response
The Better Together Cup forms part of QTS's Better Together campaign, launched in 2025 to serve the communities around its Cambois data centre campus and Northumberland. Rita Patel Miller, Social Strategy Director at QTS, said: “Seeing clubs, fans and families fill Croft Park around such an important cause was heartwarming. We are proud to be a small part of this community.”
Kevin Miles, Chair of Blyth Spartans, whose family moved to Blyth in 1967 so close to Croft Park that “you could see the turnstiles from our front gate”, said: "The atmosphere across the weekend was electric, and the whole club felt it. To see Croft Park packed for a cause that matters so much to people here made everyone incredibly proud."
