Footballers who lost club in pandemic meet again for sessions at Bristol park

Footballers suffering with mental health have been given a new place to play after their team folded during the pandemic.

Bristol Disability Football used to play at South Bristol Sports Centre as part of Bristol Active Life Project.

But due to staff shortages, one of the players, Steve Weyman, said the sessions were cancelled - despite the team enjoying success after winning a league.

Now Mr Weyman has taken it on himself to arrange training for the team members at Greville Smyth Park in Ashton Gate.

He said: “Now that’s [sessions at South Bristol Sports Centre] all gone I’m just trying to keep some of the lads who were in the disability team because they’ve got nothing look forward to.

“That was the highlight of their week because, as you can imagine a lot of them aren’t working cos of their disabilities and illnesses, so I’ve tried to keep it going kind of on my own back really.”

He added: “I don’t mind if there’s one or one hundred people coming to the sessions if what I’m doing helps one of the guys suffering from mental health issues then I can go home with a smile on my face.”

In a sign of appreciation for his work, the players gifted Mr Weyman with a jumper at a session at the park last week.

Laurence Honeyfield, aged 44, has been attending the sessions at the park for some time.

He said: “For a group of men to be able to come together having gone through is humbling and it is a sign that change is coming.”

The sessions take place every Thursday morning and Mr Weyman is keen to get in touch with those members of Bristol Disability Football who have been in the past.