Episode 22

full
Published on:

5th Sep 2025

All Footballers Experience: Anxiety - Newcastle United

"All Footballers Experience: Anxiety" transforms how we teach children about mental health through storytelling and trust.

Following young Newcastle fan Jude's magical journey, readers meet their heroes in a new light - not as untouchable superstars, but as understanding mentors who share their own experiences with anxiety.

Through Anthony Gordon's guidance, with help from Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Eddie Howe, Dan Burn and Alan Shearer, children learn practical tools for managing anxiety in clear, age-appropriate language. Each section includes interactive elements, from practice exercises to QR codes linking to additional resources, ensuring children remain engaged while developing crucial life skills.

Beyond the immediate impact of supporting young fans' mental health, this initiative positions Newcastle at the forefront of youth mental health advocacy.

By featuring current players sharing authentic experiences, the club builds lasting emotional connections with young supporters and their families. The book offers a meaningful alternative to screen time, while creating lifelong associations between learned coping strategies and the Newcastle players who taught them.

With opportunities for workshops, school programs and international adaptation, this project transforms Newcastle's relationship with young fans from purely sporting entertainment to a supportive force in their personal development, creating positive associations that last a lifetime.

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About the Podcast

The Football Mental Health Alliance
Mental Health Tools for Grassroots Football
The Football Mental Health Alliance podcast is dedicated to delving into the topic of mental health in the football world. Each episode features well-known experts and ex-professional athletes who share their knowledge and personal experiences with mental health. Our guests will provide advice and insights on how to support yourself or those in your care who may be experiencing mental health conditions. 

This podcast is for you if you are a fan of professional football clubs, a member of a football community, or involved in grassroots football at any level. We believe that mental health is an important topic that deserves to be addressed and understood in all aspects of the football world.

We will cover a wide range of mental health topics in each episode. Our guests will share their experiences and provide practical advice on how to deal with these challenges while also supporting those around you.

So come along with us as we investigate the relationship between mental health and football. Listen to our podcast to gain valuable insights, helpful tips, and important information that can assist you or someone you care about in managing their mental health and thriving both on and off the pitch.

About your host

Profile picture for Danny Matharu

Danny Matharu

Actor. Model. Stable Genius. Public Figure. Social Influencer.


Not really... I'm simply someone who is interested in personal development and learning how people have become successful.


The road to success is often a lonely, narrow one, littered with mistakes, learnings, scars and disappointments.


This project is purely a selfish one. It gives me a reason to get myself in front of people who have walked the Narrow Road and learn from them. With this, I reckon that I find this type of person interesting, then other people will also.