Rivals United: Bristol Clubs Join Forces for Men’s Mental Health in The Talk Club Cup
By Sports Correspondent
Bristol City Robins Foundation are teaming up with Talk Club and Bristol Rovers Community Trust to host The Talk Club Cup – a charity football match bringing together both sides of the city for a cause that truly matters.
Putting aside City and Rovers’ fierce and longstanding rivalry, the must-see match features teams made up of former football players and local celebrities, going head-to-head not just for the win but to raise awareness and vital funds for Men’s mental health.
The match will take place on Tuesday, April 29th 2025, at the Rovers’ Memorial Stadium, with kick-off at 7:00 PM. Tickets cost £10 for adults, £1 for kids under 14, and £5 for concessions (including over 60s).
The family-friendly event will also feature live music, face painting, and fun activities for all ages. Gates open at 5.30pm, so arrive early to enjoy food, drinks, and all the pre-match excitement.
All proceeds from the event will be split evenly between Talk Club, Bristol Rovers Community Trust, and Bristol City Robins Foundation, with a focus on improving the mental wellbeing of men in Bristol. In 2024, 25 men in Bristol died by suicide – the equivalent to two full football teams plus the match officials.
Gavin Thorpe, one of Talk Club’s founders, says,
“Talk Club is delighted to launch the first game with Bristol Rovers and Bristol City to raise awareness and funds to support men’s mental fitness. The Talk Club Cup is set to be an annual event to remind us all that we need to connect and talk more to be united as a city. Rivalry aside, we are all football fans and we all need support at some point in our lives. We hope to do more around the UK to help our mission of creating a mentally fit society.
“At Talk Club we always start our conversations with ‘How are you? Out of 10?’ and explaining the reasons for our score. It’s simple, but we know it can make a real difference. It helps men understand how they are feeling, build their resilience, and improve their overall mental fitness. On average, a Talk Club group raises a man’s mental fitness by more than 15%.
“We also offer talk and exercise groups for men who want to combine their mental fitness with physical fitness, so the Talk Club Cup feels like a really natural progression of this. We’re really grateful to both Rovers and City for coming on board.”
Adam Tutton, CEO of Bristol Rovers Community Trust, said:
“We are incredibly excited to be hosting the first ever Talk Club Cup. This charity match in support of mental health will see the city coming together with celebrities and ex professionals representing Rovers and City. This will be a family event with live music, food and fun activities for all. Gates open at 5pm with kick off at 7 – we can’t wait to see you all there!”
Dan White, CEO of Bristol City Robins Foundation added,
“Shining a spotlight on the support available for those suffering from mental health issues is really important and we’re delighted to be coming together as a city to raise the profile of the work across the three charities. Funds raised via the matchday are vital for the Foundation to continue delivering impactful programmes in the community.’
Talk Club now has 14 free-to-attend groups across the city, including a group set up with the Bristol Rovers Community Trust. Bristol City Robins Foundation also run a weekly men’s mental well-being session, Robins Talk.
Tickets for the Talk Club Cup on Tuesday 29th April are available now, priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children. Gates open 5.30pm, with kick off at 7pm. Full list of participating players to be announced soon!
Hot on the heels of the Talk Club Cup comes Talk Club Mental Fitness Month in May, a month of raising numbers out of 10 for men across the UK, through events that start real conversations and raise funds, supporting men everywhere to become mentally fit. May is one of the worst months for male suicides, and every penny raised will help Talk Club with its goal of setting up new groups and working towards a mentally fit society.
About Talk Club
Talk Club is a multi-award-winning mental health charity providing talking, exercise, therapy and business support. A talking and listening club for men, Talk Club helps to keep you mentally fit by providing a secure and private space to share and support others in our communities. www.talkclub.org
About Bristol Rovers Community Trust Bristol Rovers Community Trust works to improve the lives of individuals and communities in the Bristol area through sports and other outreach programs.
Rebound With Rovers
Bristol Rovers Community Trust are delighted to deliver the award-winning ‘Rebound With Rovers’. A free mental-health football group for those who want to bounce back and kick start their mental fitness. The Community Trust will be hosting two football sessions every week, to support men and women who may need some mental health support. ‘Rebound With Rovers’ will consist of an hour long, fun football session which will then be followed by a ‘Check-In’ session which will give participants an opportunity to discuss any of their concerns or share their progress with our fully qualified football coach and mental health first-aider.
About Bristol City Robins Foundation
Bristol City Robins Foundation is the charitable arm of Bristol City Football Club, using the power of football to improve lives across Bristol. From award-winning youth work to free, accessible pan-disability football sessions, the Foundation’s diverse range of programmes create positive change by providing opportunities to individuals of all ages and abilities, fostering community engagement, and promoting health, education, and inclusion.
Robins Talk – Mental wellbeing sessions
The Robins Foundation provides weekly support for men in Bristol through their mental well-being session Robins Talk. The sessions encourage participants to get active with an hour of free football before engaging in open, honest conversation. Running every Wednesday from 5.30pm at Imperial Sports Ground, Robins Talk provides a safe space for participants to develop skills to improve their mental fitness through football and community.’
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