Supporting Football Against Dementia

I have been involved with the Football Against Dementia cause since 2022 when I attended a match at Gt Yarmouth Town held in tribute to Mike Sutton the late father of Chris Sutton, a Norwich City, Chelsea, Blackburn and Celtic player.

Also at the game was a close friend of mine who sadly since then had succumbed to horrible illness that is dementia. The second friend that has passed in the last few years, again to dementia.

My involvement has mainly been a part of the organising team behind two other charity football games and a five-side tournament.

As a cause our aim is, ‘to be the ‘go-to’ community for those affected by dementia by providing support, resources and awareness and by harnessing the power of sport.’

As a small team we want to focus on doing thigs that matter and not just talking about what needs to be done. Spreading the word, initially throughout Norfolk and Lincolnshire.

We are currently working with local health authorities, have a successful group of ex-footballers called Leg Ends that meet in a social environment to share past memories and are in the early stages of planning 2 more games; Wymondham Town v Attleborough Town and the return fixture between Fakenham Town and Dereham Town.

Involving both girl and boy youth football teams is an aim as it covers an age group that may be well be seeing signs of dementia in their grandparents and need may benefit from guidance.

Out network of volunteers whilst small work tremendously hard and we welcome any fund-raising ideas that can assist.

I began with my ‘why’ I support Football Against Dementia and its my intention to do as much as I can when I can. 10% of any income from new My Virtual Sales Director projects will go to F.A.D.

It is with excitement, anticipation and a degree of that Football Against Dementia will be taking a new direction from April 2025.

Founder Trevor Saunders BEM is handing over the running of the project to Steve Cozens and Glenn Hoy after years at the helm, leading from the front since FAD’s inception in 2021

This will enable him to focus on other projects that helps people, such as Take a Chance on Me, Safe Harbour, Nordic Walking and others that are soon to announced.

Steve and Glenn will be arranging events, games and get togethers – the next Leg Ends get together is scheduled for Saturday 26 April from 4pm, at the Unthank Arms in Norwich. Before that past, current and future supporters are invited to join the FAD team from 2pm (at the same venue) to hear about new ideas and discuss suggestions for future initiatives.

Trevor told us, ‘I am immensely proud of what has already been achieved with FAD, considering that it began with the donation of a football kit and has grown rapidly from there; with games at The Wellesley home of Gt Yarmouth Town, Carrow Road, and Aldiss Park home of Dereham Town and a five-a-side tournament at The Nest.

There is more than a touch of sadness with me moving on however there are so many other ways that I can help people in need and in Steve and Glenn I know that the project is in safe hands.’

Steve informed us that the Cozens Cup would be made available for Legends matches, with Wymondham Town v Attleborough Town in the early stages of planning and the long-awaited return match between Fakenham Town and Dereham Town happening later in the Spring. He also commented that sincere thanks are to be extended to Trevor for getting FAD ready for the next stages of its next journey and that whilst both himself and Glenn may not be able to emulate the past successes of Trevor all can be assured that their level of commitment is 100%.

The second member of the new FAD team Glenn Hoy mentioned to us that his main brief falls into two categories. Extending the FAD dementia support message to younger audiences and hosting Leg End Get Togethers, for past players, club and match officials and supporters, at other venues throughout Norfolk.

Final words from Trevor, ‘I am very excited with the opportunities the future will bring in my quest to ‘help people’, this always has and always will be my mission. In Steve and Glenn FAD is in capable hands and I know that they will be excellent custodians.