Episode 4

full
Published on:

23rd Sep 2023

Debbie McGough - A Parent's View: My Battles with ADHD in Grassroots Football

FMHA Founder, Danny Matharu meets Debbie McGough - a mum of two boys who is fighting for ADHD equality in grassroots football.

It is estimated that 1 in 5 people have some form of ADHD/neurodiversity.

Debbie reveals what neurodiversity is and explains what ADHD and ASD are as well as how medication works.

She exposes the many difficulties neurodiverse players face every weekend and how ADHD and ASD can affect the whole team.

Debbie shares the difficulties families like hers can face and how all of us in grassroots need to educate ourselves and support ADHD more.

She shares tips on how clubs and coaches can support neurodiverse players more.

This episode is quite upsetting in parts as Debbie is open and honest about the challenges she and her football-loving 'neuro' boys have had to overcome to be able to enjoy the sport we all love.

"He's not normal!",

"I don't want my son around that!",

"He shouldn't be playing with normal children",

are just some of the disgusting things Debbie has heard about her boys.

This episode will resonate with anyone who lives with neurodiversity and all parents/carers/families who have young people living with ADHD and the like.

For those who don't have experience with neurodiversity, it will open your eyes to how we all need to be more understanding, less judgemental and ultimately more kind to situations and conditions we don't understand.

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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

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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.