PAY back with a YAP...

I see and read lots from the FA about Positivity, but not everything can be rosy everyday. Life like football is a game of non-stop running and lots of ups & downs. Since I took the reins last September, the one thing I have endeavoured to do is "be available" to listen, understand and counsel, even when I have been treading water with my own challenges. Between the players and I, we've had conversations about finance, fitness, friendships, females, food and the future in an environment that has seen many of us furloughed and frustrated - all set against a backdrop of another F... Football. It is these conversations that I feel most proud of.

Next weekend we do not have a match, instead we are preparing for the first Final that White Roding Vets have had in their history. Formations and Free Kicks will take centre stage. I also have to trim down an eligible squad down of 20 down to 16 - I am expecting a few other F Words to be evident when I have the chat.

Listening & understanding will need to be on offer in abundance by everyone and it is the reason why this season White Roding 45s continue their championing of good mental health with the promotion of the social media app YAPA. YAPA is about expressing how you feel without fear or favour. No lusting after likes or fawning over followers. It has a large and growing fan base, including former professional footballers. When it comes to Cup Final selection, there are no favours and hopefully no fears. Just like the YAPA community, the wider squad are there to support those that may miss out and vice versa... as well as to celebrate with each other whatever the result on a journey that began on the 21st September last year. From the goalkeeper that saved the semi-final penalty to the substitute who never got on to the pitch and the scorer of the goal off his left testicle to first team talk given, everyone has contributed in paying back the faith that has taken us to somewhere unchartered before 13th October.

Notwithstanding the score a week on Tuesday, I hope that we all continue to YAP