MAY 2019 www.mancunianmatters.co.uk 14 SPORT Team for bereaved dads ready for action RARING TO GO: Bereaved fathers with common love of football unite on the pitches of Stockport CREDIT : Joel Kelly ASHLEIGH GRADY “Then I heard about the football team in “It’s an informal way of getting men chatting. fathers was established in Northampton in 2018 Northampton and from there I just took it upon “Even if we don’t necessarily talk about what and there are now 13 Sands United clubs There is something very poignant about Sands myself to go ahead and start it. has happened, just knowing that the person around the United Kingdom. United Stockport FC, the football team due to “ I got in touch with the right people and now next to you has experienced what you’ve The Northampton team’s efforts to play their first match this Sunday morning. we’re here,” he said. experienced is so supportive,” Kelly said. encourage men to speak about their feelings Every player on the pitch has lost a baby. Kelly and his wife Fleur attended the local “You just know we’ve all got each other’s after such a difficult time saw the group being The club – set up to provide a safe environ - support group set up by Sands, the charity for back.” named ‘Team of the Year’ at the Pride of Sports ment for fathers who have suffered the loss of a stillbirth and neonatal deaths, after the loss of Since starting in February, Sands United Award last December. baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal their son Rory in 2013. Stockport FC has gone from six to 20 members All of the clubs are closely linked to the death – will face Mellor Vets FC in a friendly He was stillborn at 32 weeks. and Kelly has suggested that five more men charity Sands, who have stated that the death of match this weekend. “It took me about five years just to start going have been in touch saying they are interested in a baby shortly before, during or soon after birth, Founder and manager Joel Kelly explained to the support groups. getting involved. occurs every 90 minutes in the UK, the same how the club in Stockport officially formed in “I hope with the football team and more This Sunday’s game will see the team play length of time as a football match. February after five months of planning. exposure to the support group, other men won’t Mellor FC Veterans, a club for over 35-year-olds, The charity hopes to set up a model that can “I started it because I used to go to a support have to wait as long,” Kelly said. at Marpole Rugby Club. be further rolled out all across the country, group called Stockport Sands, which is a local The players in Stockport Sands United meet “It’s a nice way to start. They’re veterans something Kelly agrees with. group where men and women who have lost up every Tuesday night for an hour of training who want to keep playing football, whereas “Our idea is that men and women, as soon as babies can go to talk about their feelings. before heading to the local pub for another hour we’re a new team who need to play for anything like this happens, have got some - “And I just found myself being one of only a to catch up and talk about what is going on in ourselves.” where they can go to get the support they few guys there. each other’s lives. The original idea for the club for bereaved need.” Wembley FA Cup glory for Manchester City women HENRY DISTASIO substitute Lauren Hemp, her international Alisha Lehmann to first appearance at Wembley, have her shot parried by Manchester City Womem tri - who lobbed the oncoming Bardsley. umphed in a 3-0 victory against Moorhouse from long range to “It's been really tough but, to West Ham United Women on secure Manchester City’s be here, speaks volumes for Saturday to secure their second second FA Cup title. what we're trying to do,” said FA Cup title in three years. "I'm so proud of the players,” West Ham manager Matt The women in blue, who said Manchester City manager Beard. were pipped to the Super Nick Cushing. In what has been their League title by Arsenal, all but “They've put in so much maiden season as a dominated the second half effort to make this team suc - professional club, West Ham which saw all three of their cessful again, they deserve it.” illustrated just how far they have goals nestle in the back of West Despite the score line come with an impressive Ham’s net. suggesting a blow-out, West display in their first ever FA Cup Midfielder Keira Walsh Ham were the better of the two final appearance. opened the scoring for the sides come the half-time whistle. Despite this however, it was Northerners with a bending The Hammers created the not to be as City’s talent and strike that wrong footed keeper best chance of a cagey first half class overcame their Anna Moorhouse and left her that saw former City striker opponent’s true grit. diving in the opposite direction. Jane Ross’ header force “I don’t think you ever imagine Youngster Georgia Stanway England keeper Karen Bards - it because some things you just doubled their lead in the last ten ley to produce a fine save off don’t think are possible,” said minutes with an impressive her goal line. City goal scorer Stanway. individual effort that snuck its The Londoners had another “But today I’ve just gone one way into the bottom right good opportunity through a better and achieved dreams corner. swift counter attack in the that go beyond people’s The victory was sealed by second half, only for Swiss imagination.” UP FOR THE CUP: Steph Houghton and her players rejoice CREDIT : BT Sport.