Archive October 31, 2025

Robbie Savage defends the claim that “people think I’m a pantomime villain and that I should be able to take the abuse.” However, it has an impact on me, particularly if I’m isolated and living alone with my family.

The manager of Rovers of Forest Green, a frequently antagonistic player in football, is talking about mental health and the “vile abuse” some opposition fans have directed at him.

Patients with depression can now order tickets to Forest Green home games thanks to a pilot NHS pilot scheme in Gloucestershire.

Savage, who was released by Manchester United and captained four Premier League clubs, is open about his own mental health.

He has previously addressed his father’s passing and dealing with anxiety and panic attacks.

The former Wales midfielder, 51, has been away from his wife Sarah and youngest son Freddie for most of the week since taking the full-time position at Forest Green in July.

It can be difficult for me to return to my apartment when I’m alone or isolated, Savage says.

“You can go out with your team-mates when you’re a player.” You can’t go out with your players as a manager, which makes it quite lonely, especially when you’re being abused.

Savage claimed earlier this month that he was abused while playing away at Carlisle United, and the Cumbrian club has agreed to provide the Football Association with video, audio, and CCTV footage.

“The humor, the banter, and the camaraderie are what I like most about football,” I said. Savage says it’s with away fans and that’s what we do at this football team.

There is a line, though. That line was crossed [against Carlisle], and that is unacceptable. We’re not talking about the daily abuse that football fans endure.

Then there is a “social media pile-on.” Even the negative energy that other people have around me occasionally strikes me.

What should I do about it? Although it’s challenging, speaking to people and being in front of people at the training facility are what I value most.

Savage supports his club’s efforts to provide free tickets to people with mild to moderate depression. He believes it is crucial to address mental health issues.

He continues, “People do struggle mentally in life.”

The Cotswolds-based club collaborated with Dr. Simon Opher, a Labour MP for Stroud, for the “Fool on Prescription” scheme.

Patients are given match tickets instead of pills in the hope that the sense of belonging that comes with cheering on a team can improve their mental health.

Football, according to Dale Vince, the owner of Rovers of Forest Green, “football brings people together like nothing else.”

Nature and people are the two things that modern life separates us from. Being alone and lonely is a very common trait.

I’ve had times where I’ve felt a little let down and excluded from time to time throughout my life. When you’re not in contact with people, things can easily spiral downward.

The sense of community that it brings about is one of the best aspects of running a football club, according to me. It’s about community, not making money, at this point.

A conversation between Vince and Dr. Opher led to the development of the social prescribing practice, which includes giving patients match tickets.

According to Dr. Opher, “social prescribing is essentially about trying to get people better without using drugs – art classes, exercises, gardening.”

I’m not denying that antidepressants are effective. Some people consider them to be very important, but I believe we overuse them and overuse them because there isn’t anything else available.

Let’s try something different, please. “Being at a football stadium and feeling like a part of a club,” is what this is about.

Critics contend that social prescribing may have short-term advantages, but there is inconsistent evidence of its long-term efficacy in reducing GP visits or improving social support.

Vince, who claims the scheme is the first of its kind in the UK and possibly the entire world, says, “We try to follow up with people who come here and see if they want a repeat prescription.”

Savage enters a hospitality box at Forest Green’s ground, which is set high on a hill and offers breath-taking views of the Gloucestershire countryside, as he enters a hospitality box.

Although he will soon be in charge of a top-of-the-table game against Boreham Wood, he still finds time to meet and photograph Sally, who has been given a match ticket by her neighborhood GP.

Sally, 55, was struck by a car when she was 11 years old and has occasionally struggled with her mental health.

Savage, a veteran of 346 Premier League games for Leicester City, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, and Derby County, says, “Wait here, Sally, I’ll be back in two minutes.”

Sally receives a green and black scarf from the club shop.

Boreham Wood defeated Forest Green 2-1 to the cheers of the 1,825-person crowd, putting them two points clear of Rochdale.

The manager spends the majority of the game standing in his technical area, looking as though he wants to kick every ball, and cheering his players whenever they can, which makes Savage’s antics on the sidelines as entertaining as the game itself.

Niels, who also received a game ticket, says, “He is a breath of fresh air.”

He is Mr Motivator, as he is referred to as in the video.

Would Niels, who has battled addiction issues, suggest “Fool on Prescription”?

“This is my third Forest Green game, and I’m using social prescribing again.” Your spirits are lifted when you visit this place. It almost feels like a reset. A complex subject is mental health. But at least Forest Green are attempting to do something.

Sally will attend another game, or not?

“I’m eager to return,” I said. It’s a chance to meet new people and get outside. Better than any medication I’ve ever taken, in my opinion.

In the first round of the FA Cup, Rovers of Forest Green travel to League One Luton Town on Friday (3:30 GMT kick-off).

Ireland vs. New Zealand in the Nations Series in the autumn

Soldier Field, Chicago, Saturday, November

Before Saturday’s All Blacks Test opener against Ireland, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has refuted claims that his side has been “underdone.”

Number eight Jack Conan will make his first appearance for the British and Irish Lions since starting all three of their Test matches over the summer, making the same number of players as Farrell’s line-up who only played once this year.

However, Farrell, who has returned to the Ireland hotseat after taking a break from his Lions, says that if you’re mentally strong, your body will follow.

In a conversation about how their game time was before Saturday’s Soldier Field rematch, he said, “It’s irrelevant.”

You guys have spoken about some of the guys’ performances in Leinster v. Munster, some of whom hit it big. They are mentally prepared to perform best.

When they arrive for camp and understand what they are upholding and what the shirt means, it seems to concentrate their minds a lot more. You must still demonstrate it in public.

As Ireland coach, Farrell has lost the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final and the November Test in Dublin last year, but has also lost the previous two.

Ireland’s first home defeat since 2021 was caused by a poor performance in the latter, and Farrell wants to see an improvement from his side, who admitted to having “failed to come to the party” “12 months ago.”

He said, “We got a backlash as far as winning the next three games, which almost seems like it happened.”

I’m not going to deny that we were outstanding, but we did a good job of getting the job done. The 150thIRFU anniversary game against Australia was a significant occasion for us.

However, I pondered whether you can accept all the excuses out there for free and let them drown you, or you can accept them for what they are and try to be as good as you can be early on.

With the Leinster prop having earned a spot on the bench, Paddy McCarthy will be the only potential Ireland debutant on Saturday.

McCarthy, the younger brother of lock Joe McCarthy, was a unused summer squadr for Ireland under interim head coach Paul O’Connell, but Farrell claimed the 22-year-old has been on his radar since impressing for the under-20s in a training session against the first team in 2023.

The 50-year-old said, “We train against the Under-20s so we know who is passing.”

Do you want to train against them this year, I’m asked. ‘. Imagine that you didn’t get to practice against the first team like the other team did every year. It’s a strange custom.

He frequently ruined our session, but there is something about him that few people have.

Dan Sheehan, who previously led the team against Wales in this year’s Six Nations, will take over as Ireland’s captain with Caelan Doris returning from shoulder surgery on the bench.

Sheehan also served as captain for the British and Irish Lions’ game against Western Force in June, according to Farrell, who noted how the 27-year-old hooker has “developed as a leader” and “developed as a leader.”

He is “so composed, self-assured, and a good man.” He communicates to everyone else that he is in charge through his body language. That it will be acceptable, so let’s just do the preparation.

Chiefs of Exeter vs. Gloucester-Hartpury in Premiership women’s rugby

Exeter, Sandy Park, Saturday, November Kick-off: 15:00 GMT

Amy Rule hopes that her full Premiership Women’s Rugby debut will be a little less dramatic than her first appearance.

The New Zealand prop had a unique introduction to rugby that resulted in her being dismissed. She became the first Black Ferns player to join PWR after signing with Exeter in June.

The 25-year-old, who lives near Invercargill, which is almost as far south as you can travel in New Zealand without diving into the ocean, claims, “I didn’t know the rules, I didn’t understand the ball had to go backwards and we had to go forward.”

“I remember being chucked on because they were desperate and the opposition was taking a break and I was like “ok so I know I have to tackle this person,” but I didn’t know how to tackle at the time, so it ended up being a clothesline and basically knocked her out.

However, Rule was hooked right away.

Four years after her first-ever successful debut, the former rower pulled on a black jersey for the first time after being spotted by those in charge of New Zealand rugby.

According to her, “I remember talking to our high performance manager about the goal of this World Cup in 2025,” she tells BBC South West.

“I appreciate the journey very much. I believe it was a great experience for me to learn about high performance and what it meant to play full-time as a professional football player.

Steve Salvin’s hiring of Rule before the World Cup this year was one of the biggest pluses.

The prop helped the Black Ferns win a bronze medal as she collected her 31 caps, helping New Zealand to win two tries.

She approaches her game in terms of taking notes, asking questions, challenging, and other things you would expect from someone with a professional mindset, Selvin said.

She also assisted all the players on a variety of bits and pieces, not just the younger players.

She had a friend in camp, and she wasn’t coming in without knowing anyone, so she wasn’t coming in without knowing anyone. She’s a really nice girl as well.

However, she seems to have settled in really well, and I’m looking forward to seeing how things turn out this weekend.

Rule, who trained with the Black Ferns in Devon before their World Cup game against Japan, is already aware of what it’s like, despite missing out on the 62-19 victory at Sandy Park.

And she is hoping to win her first game against Gloucester-Hartpury, the reigning PWR champion, on Saturday.

When asked about her strengths, she responds, “I love to find holes, I love to find opportunities to gain,” she says.

I’m actually physically in that space, and I’m growing more confident there.

“I want people to perceive me as a total pain.”