Finding Purpose

Karl Mahon, England

England Football and Goal Click have teamed up to create a powerful storytelling series spotlighting how grassroots clubs across England bring The FA’s five pillars of Respect the Standard to life. Ten clubs throughout the country have shared the behaviour-focused initiatives they take to promote positive change.

Together with his brothers, Karl Mahon founded All Nations FC to combine football with social impact. Built on the values of inclusivity, mental health awareness, and anti-racism, All Nations FC supports its players while strengthening ties with their local community.

My name is Karl Mahon. I am 38 and from West London. I started playing football young - first at school with my brothers, Kurt and Calvin, then regularly around the local area with friends. I have been drawn to the game for as long as I can remember.

Most of my football journey has focused on small-sided games and tournaments. A serious back injury in my early twenties limited my play, but I stayed active by joining local leagues and charity tournaments under the All Nations FC name for the past 15 years. We have enjoyed some success while raising money for important causes.

As a YouTube football team, our impact extends beyond the local pitch. Sharing matches, stories, and behind-the-scenes moments online helps us reach a broader audience and spread important messages. By doing this, we can continue to inspire change, raise awareness, and make grassroots football more accessible.

Football has always been more than just a sport for me - it has been vital for my mental wellbeing. This season, especially, football has helped me navigate life’s challenges, particularly around my recovery following a spinal injury.

All Nations FC

All Nations FC is a relatively new club built on inclusivity, mental health awareness, and anti-racism. The team has been a part of my journey since 2004, when my brothers and I played in local small-sided tournaments. However, our official launch as an FA-affiliated 11-a-side team was in 2024, which also saw Sachin Sabharwal join my brothers and me on the management team. Sachin is a key club member who keeps things running, from coordinating with sponsors and teams to supporting the production team behind the scenes.

Our name reflects the diversity of our team and the multicultural community we come from in West London. This part of the city has a vibrant identity, and All Nations FC mirror that diversity. We are proud to unite players from different backgrounds, all connected by a love for football and a shared mission to raise awareness about men's mental health.

I have been involved with the club since the start. After a serious spinal injury that kept me away from football for nearly three years, I am now managing our 11-a-side team. Returning to the game has brought me renewed purpose and a stronger connection to the sport and the community.

What makes All Nations FC special is our blend of passion for football and our drive to make a difference. Our players come together like a family, supporting each other and using our platform to highlight important causes.

Many of our players have faced challenges that required them to mature quickly, making the club an important outlet and a second family for them. It is a space where they can lean on one another, both on and off the pitch. It is more than just a team - it is a close-knit community where everyone looks out for each other. The atmosphere of trust and camaraderie is key to building lasting, positive relationships.

The club also brings the wider community together through football. We are proud to have support from our sponsor, Pepe’s, whose backing helps us grow the game, organise events, and build a positive, inclusive football community.

We actively raise awareness of mental health and anti-racism, using our platform to educate the community, challenge discrimination, and create a safe, respectful space for all.

Supporting Each Other

Our club promotes positive behaviour by fostering an open, supportive environment. We encourage players to communicate openly, reminding them that it is okay to express feelings and discuss personal struggles. We actively work to break the old ‘just get on with it’ mindset.

We have built a culture where everyone’s voice is heard, whether on tactical decisions, personal challenges, or off-pitch issues. This helps players feel supported and understood, leading to more positive behaviour.

We hold regular check-ins to ensure players receive the mental and emotional support they need. Our goal is for players to feel safe speaking up and getting help, especially when facing challenges related to behaviour, mental health, or personal issues. We strive to build a culture that is rooted in positivity, respect, and unity.

By promoting teamwork, embracing diversity, supporting mental wellbeing, and building community, we create an inclusive environment. Coaches lead by example, staying approachable and checking in with players, while teammates support one another.

Over time, we have shifted from focusing solely on performance to understanding the needs of each player. We realised some needed more than just coaching - they needed mentors and a safe space to grow.

This change has made a huge difference. Being part of All Nations FC is not just about performance anymore; it is about ensuring everyone is in a good headspace to do their best. It has created a positive, supportive culture that benefits both our players and the team as a whole.

Valuable Resources

The FA has several initiatives that have been crucial in supporting our efforts to promote positive behaviour within the club. The FA Respect Programme encourages everyone - players, coaches and fans - to show respect on and off the pitch. It is a key tool for reinforcing respect and sportsmanship, which are core to our values.

The FA’s Mental Health Support Programme has also been invaluable, providing resources to create a supportive environment where players can openly discuss their feelings and seek help. This aligns with our goal of breaking the stigma around mental health.

Additionally, The FA’s Safeguarding Initiatives ensure that all players are protected, especially when dealing with negative behaviours or off-pitch issues. These programmes provide the framework and training to handle sensitive situations while prioritising safety and well-being.

Together with our own efforts, these initiatives help foster a culture of positivity, respect, and support within the club. This, in turn, enables us to thrive emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Community Leaders

Looking to the future, All Nations FC aims to set an example for the grassroots community by showing that football is a powerful tool for inclusion, mental wellbeing, and positive social change. We believe that success on the pitch does not have to come at the cost of empathy, understanding, and community spirit.

Our goal is to prove that a supportive, diverse, and mentally healthy environment leads to stronger teams. By prioritising open communication, challenging mental health stigma, and standing against racism and discrimination, we hope to inspire other clubs to become community leaders.

Ultimately, we want to show that football is about more than results. It is about creating a second family, giving people purpose, and using the game to uplift others.