A FORMER professional footballer who suffered a breakdown has been honoured by the palace for his work to support those suffering poor mental health.

Steve Holmes left home at 16, moving north to play football for Blackburn Rovers.

Aged 24, he crashed out of his career through injury.

“It’s a short career in football anyway,” he said. “But to have it ended at 24-years-old was devastating. My life was taken away from me.”

In part as a result of a career cut short, Steve suffered a mental breakdown.

Football was his way of building himself back up. For 20 years he’s been involved with Swindon Town Football in the Community Trust, spending the last two-and-a-half years of that running the charity’s weekly session for people using sport to boost their mental health.

Steve, 48, whose day job is with Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, said: “For me, football was a recovery tool. For each and every one of these guys they’re using it as a recovery tool in their own way. Football’s a universal language. It’s not just about a round thing that bounces. It’s what comes with it.”

As well as getting the two dozen or so participants outdoors and in the fresh air, the sessions also encourage the players to communicate with each other.

The team has played against other teams from the south west and Wales.

Each session begins with a warm-up, before Steve focusses on a particular area of the game: “It might be possession, finishing or passing – just the basic ball skills. The ability levels in the group are diverse, but they’re all accommodated and included.”

The scheme works, Steve said. “Some of the guys use this as a stepping stone into employment or vocational training. We have a core group of people who come every week. It’s turned into a sort of peer support. It makes them part of something they can call their own.”

Steve was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List last year. Given for service to the community, the BEM recognises those whose work has made a significant difference to people’s lives.

Earlier this month, Steve visited Salisbury Cathedral to collect the medal and is due to visit Buckingham Palace later in the year. He said of being given the honour: “I’m humbled and very grateful. Still to this day I don’t know who nominated me for it.”

Jon Holloway, head of STFIC, said: “We know the journey Steve’s been on. We know how passionate Steve is about football and helping people. We’re so proud of him.”

  • For more about the group run by Steve and STFIC, contact the trust on 01793 421303 or jon@stfc-fitc.co.uk.