A penalty shootout decided the Match for Mind tradespeople football tournament at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Six teams of 50 tradespeople competed, with each made up of representatives of the different trades that make up the construction sector.
The Other Trades team won the tournament, after beating the Electricians on penalties in the final after finishing 1-1 in normal time – with the Other Trades winning 7-6 in the shootout.
Bobby Funnell, playing for the Electricians, received the Golden Boot award for being the top goalscorer overall, having scored five, and was presented with a golden work boot.
All players received an engraved medal.
Players were required to donate to the mental health charity Mind ahead of the tournament. The money gathered was then added to the totals raised at the stadium through additional fundraising activities, such as a penalty shootout and crossbar challenge, where organisers IronmongeryDirect gave £10 to charity for each successful effort.
In total, Match for the Mind donated over £4,000 to Mind, helping to support their vital services.
The event was attended by players’ friends, family, and colleagues, as well as three famous football freestylers – including Andrew Henderson, the five-time world champion.
A representative from Basildon Mind also attended the tournament to share mental health advice with both the players and spectators.
The contest at Stamford Bridge was organised in line with the ‘movement’ theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and aimed to raise awareness of the benefits of exercise on mental wellbeing.
IronmongeryDirect’s annual Mental Health in the Trades report recently found that more than four in five (82%) UK tradespeople experience some form of mental health issue due to work.
Andrew Berrie, head of corporate partnerships at Mind, said, “We are so grateful to IronmongeryDirect for choosing to fundraise for Mind and helping us highlight how exercise can benefit our mental health.
“Exercise has long been proved to have a positive effect on the mental health of millions. We want to help more people make moves for their mental health as this can help to manage stress and improve your sleep, mood and confidence.
“We’re in the middle of a mental health crisis, with over two million people waiting for NHS mental health services. Now more than ever it is vital that everyone has access to the right support, advice and information when they need it.
“The money raised by IronmongeryDirect will help Mind raise both awareness and vital funds so that we can move closer to a future where no mind is left behind.”
Ellis Osborn, e-commerce manager at IronmongeryDirect, added, “We’re thrilled that everyone had such a good day at our inaugural Match for the Mind, and that we were able to raise so much money for charity. And the Other Trades now have the bragging rights!
“Thank you to everyone who donated, took part or supported the brilliant tradespeople who played. Mental health problems are unfortunately prevalent across the industry, and that’s why we’re continuing to raise awareness, and encourage people to seek support if needed.”
