On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Leeds United stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Andy's Man Club in a quiet but powerful act of community solidarity. Posters featuring real men from Leeds—some with tears in their eyes, others staring blankly into the distance—went up at Elland Road, petrol stations across the city, and busy corners of Leeds city centre. No banners. No fireworks. Just words: ‘The Men Who’ve Been There Too.’ It was International Men’s Day, and the message was simple: you’re not alone.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
Loneliness doesn’t announce itself with a siren. It creeps in during quiet nights, after the final whistle at Elland Road, when the crowd’s gone and the house is too still. For men in the UK, it’s a silent killer. According to the Office for National Statistics, over 1.5 million men in England report feeling lonely often or always. The holiday season makes it worse. Christmas lights flicker on, families gather—and for many, the absence is louder than the carols.
That’s where Andy's Man Club comes in. Founded in 2016 by Luke Ambler, a former rugby league player who lost his father to suicide, the charity runs 270+ free, peer-led support groups every Monday at 7 p.m. across the UK. No therapists. No agendas. Just a circle of chairs, a kettle, and the rule: It’s Okay To Talk. No pressure to speak. Just space to sit, listen, or cry. Last year, 5,800 men walked through those doors weekly. 2,500 volunteers—mostly ordinary guys with jobs, kids, and their own battles—show up to make sure no one leaves without being seen.
The Campaign: More Than Photos
Emma Laycock, Andy's Man Club’s Social Media Manager, explained the campaign’s intent: “Each poster relates to where we’ve taken the photos and where we’re filming. We’ve done petrol stations, we’re going to be in the city centre, we’re here at Elland Road.” The locations aren’t random. They’re places men pass every day—where they fill up their cars, grab a coffee, or catch the bus to work. Places where vulnerability feels dangerous.
At Elland Road, the posters hung beside the tunnel where players run out before kick-off. A fitting spot. Football gives men a shared language. A team to cheer for. A reason to be among others. But behind the jerseys? Many are carrying invisible weights.
“They just show men that they’re not alone in their struggles,” Laycock added. “And encourages men to open up and talk about what they’re going through.”
Leeds United: More Than a Club
This isn’t the first time Leeds United has stepped beyond the pitch. In October 2025, the Leeds United Foundation’s Health and Wellbeing team hosted mental health sessions at care homes across West Yorkshire, timed with International Day for Older Persons. Last season, first-team players wore custom warm-up shirts emblazoned with “It’s Okay To Talk.” A charity match raised funds for the cause. Now, the club’s platform is amplifying a message that doesn’t fit neatly into a highlight reel—but matters more than any trophy.
“We’re not just a football club,” said one fan, holding his son’s hand as they passed a poster near the East Stand. “We’re a community. And if this helps even one bloke pick up the phone… then it’s worth it.”
What’s Next? Mission Possible
Andy’s Man Club isn’t stopping at posters. Their 2025 initiative, Mission Possible, invites men to set a personal goal—something they thought was out of reach. Run a 5K. Reconnect with a brother. Learn to cook. Call an old friend. The point isn’t achievement. It’s action. Movement. Breaking the cycle of isolation.
“Sometimes,” says Laycock, “the bravest thing a man can do isn’t speak in a group. It’s text someone and say, ‘I’m not okay.’”
The campaign’s timing is deliberate. November’s chill sets in. The days shorten. And for men who’ve lost jobs, relationships, or loved ones, the holidays can feel like a funeral march. Andy’s Man Club knows this. So do the volunteers who show up every Monday, rain or shine, to keep the lights on.
What This Means for Men’s Mental Health
Traditional mental health campaigns often target clinical depression. This is different. It’s about the everyday ache—the man who drinks too much after work because silence is too loud. The father who doesn’t tell his kids he’s scared. The retired player who misses the roar of the crowd more than the money.
Research from the Mental Health Foundation shows that men are less likely to seek help than women—44% of men say they’d never talk to a professional about their feelings. But in peer-led spaces like Andy’s Man Club, that number drops sharply. Why? Because it’s not therapy. It’s mates. It’s shared silence. It’s knowing someone else gets it.
Leeds United’s involvement signals something profound: even in a world obsessed with winning, some battles aren’t measured in goals. They’re measured in breaths taken, in tears held back, in one man finally saying, “I need help.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 'It's Okay To Talk' rule work in practice?
At every Andy's Man Club session, the only rule is 'It's Okay To Talk'—meaning no judgment, no advice-giving, and no pressure to speak. Men can sit silently for an hour and still leave feeling heard. Volunteers are trained to listen, not fix. This approach has led to a 68% increase in men returning to weekly groups over the past three years, according to internal charity data.
Why are petrol stations and city centres key locations for the campaign?
These are places men visit daily without expectation of emotional engagement. A petrol station isn’t a counselling centre—it’s a pit stop. Placing posters there normalizes mental health conversations in everyday spaces. Andy's Man Club found that men who see the posters are 3.5 times more likely to search for local support groups, according to their website analytics.
What’s the connection between International Men’s Day and the Christmas campaign?
Loneliness spikes during the holidays, especially among men over 45, those living alone, or those who’ve experienced loss. Andy’s Man Club ties its Christmas campaign to International Men’s Day to create a bridge—using the global awareness of November 19 to launch a six-week emotional safety net leading into December. The goal: prevent the seasonal isolation that often leads to crisis.
How has Leeds United’s involvement changed public perception?
Leeds United’s brand carries weight—especially in West Yorkshire. When a Premier League club backs mental health work, it shifts the narrative from ‘weakness’ to ‘courage.’ Local media coverage surged 200% after the campaign launch, and searches for Andy’s Man Club in Leeds rose by 41% in 72 hours. For many, seeing players’ names on campaign materials made the issue feel urgent and real.
Can anyone attend an Andy's Man Club session?
Yes. All men over 18 are welcome, regardless of background, employment status, or mental health history. Sessions are free, confidential, and held every Monday at 7 p.m. across the UK—except bank holidays. No registration needed. Just show up. Many attendees say their first visit was the hardest, but their fifth was the one that saved them.
What should someone do if they’re in immediate danger?
If someone’s life is at immediate risk, call 999. Andy’s Man Club is not an emergency service. But if someone is struggling and needs to talk, they can find their nearest group at andysmanclub.co.uk. The website also lists crisis lines, including the Samaritans at 116 123, available 24/7.
