A Brotherhood
Kerry Phillips, 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.
Kerry Phillips is the founder and manager of Saving Souls FC, which plays in The FA’s Mental Health League. Through the club, Kerry has created a safe space for men to support each other on and off the pitch.
My name is Kerry Phillips. I am 38 years old and grew up in southeast London, where football has always been a part of life. Though my weight held me back early on, football has grown into so much more than a game for me.
It has helped me manage stress, build connections, and find routine during tough times. Through highs and lows, football has been my constant.
Saving Souls FC
Saving Souls FC was created to be more than just a football team. We are a mental health football club - a safe, free space where men of all backgrounds and abilities can come together, play, and support each other.
The idea came during COVID-19, after conversations with my male friends made me realise how many were silently struggling. There is still a stigma around men opening up, especially in sport. I started this team to build something deeper than football - a brotherhood. From that, we have created a forum for me and a safe space for open conversation and peer support.
We are especially grateful to Conor McBearty from the London FA for believing in our vision and helping bring it to life.
As a founder and manager, I make sure our sessions are positive, inclusive, and played the right way. Before we kick off, we set the tone that this is a mental health football session, not a Sunday league match. It is about support, community, and fun, not pressure or aggression.
During the game, we keep an eye on the vibe. If things get too heated, we will quietly check in with someone. It is nothing heavy, just a reminder of why we are here. A bit of encouragement or humour from teammates often helps too.
It is all about participation, not performance. What makes this club special is that it is for everyone - you do not have to be the best player, just willing to show up and be part of something supportive.
Wellbeing Over Winning
From the start, we knew behaviour would shape the environment we wanted. When we joined the London FA Grassroots Mental Health League, it became clear that even in a mental health space, the intensity of football could shift the focus.
When the game gets too intense, it stops being a mental health session and starts feeling like just another competitive match, which goes against everything we’re trying to build.
For some men, this is their only outlet. They come to feel safe, blow off steam, and find some peace, not to be shouted at or leave feeling worse. If things get too heated, it can do more harm than good, pushing someone back instead of helping them move forward.
That’s why we work hard to manage the energy. Yes, it is competitive, but never hostile.
Our values are simple: brotherhood, community, and support. Skill does not matter, but how you treat people does. You will hear more encouragement than shouting at our sessions. We are not trying to create robots, because football is passionate. We do not just talk about mental health - we live it.
As a manager, I had to lead by example because when I lost my temper, so did the players. So, we set a standard: if behaviour does not reflect our values, it is not tolerated.
Some came in expecting a Sunday league atmosphere, but we are not about aggression or egos. We prioritise wellbeing over winning, and we make that clear every session. If someone crosses the line, we respond immediately with care and explain our culture. More often, it is about helping them understand what we are building.
Quietly Leading
Some of our players have naturally become leaders. They are not the loudest or most skilled, but they show up every week with the right energy. They check in on others, lead by example, and help create the environment we want.
For example, Jamie, once a quiet regular, now helps run our Football Fridays, making sure everyone feels included. That’s what this is all about - empowering each other.
Harry is another example. He had not played in years due to multiple sclerosis, but was key in forming the club. After surgery and a tough setback, he is now back on the pitch like he never left.
We want to show that football can be positive, supportive, and meaningful. It can be a space where men connect, feel better, and enjoy the game. We hope other grassroots clubs see that fun, community, and good behaviour should be at their core.
Heartbeat Of The Community
The FA initiatives, like Play Safe, have shone a light on the link between football and mental health, helping clubs like ours feel supported in starting important conversations. Knowing that The FA backs a safe, inclusive space gives us confidence to keep building not just a place to play, but a space to combat isolation.
Grassroots football is the heartbeat of our community. It brings people together, breaks down barriers, and creates connection.
