Angels United FC – it’s the team that no-one wants to be part of but provides a lifeline for those who do join.
The Manchester-based football club is made up solely of bereaved fathers offering support to players and their families across the North West.
Co-founder Olly Monk and his wife have suffered two miscarriages and in 2019 they lost their baby twins Dottie and Poppy.
The Gillingham fan said: “Football saved my life.
“On a particularly rough day, I went to a Gillingham match in Accrington.
“After the game, I shared some of my experiences around grief and football on social media. Then the Gillingham manager phoned me.
“The support was incredible – not just from the Gillingham team and fans but from complete strangers messaging on Twitter to say that they understood.
“It showed me how powerful sport can be and how it can help men speak up about things we don’t always say out loud.”
Angels United was set up in 2020 by 13 fathers from all walks of life.
They had each experienced the loss of a baby or child and wanted to create a safe space for those in similar situations to play, talk and find solidarity.
“We never ask what someone’s story is”, said Olly. “We don’t want to bring someone down and make them stand in a circle getting questioned.
“We have a kick about, we have a laugh and joke. There’s a sense of togetherness when we’re all on that pitch.
“Over time, people tend to open up if and when they’re ready to talk about their own ‘angel’. Football just makes it all a bit easier to do.”
The club now has more than 50 members and is free to join, training from 8-9pm on Tuesdays at Wright Robinson College, Gorton.
Each player’s distinctive blue and pink football shirt displays the name of their child or children, serving as a touching reminder of why the club was formed.
Angels United play across Greater Manchester from Salford and Mosley to Atherton and Whalley Range, relying on goodwill from local clubs loaning their grounds for low or no cost.
“Wherever we are welcome, we will play – we’d love to play at some of the bigger grounds. Oldham’s Boundary Park would be nice”, said Olly, joking that “playing at the Etihad or Old Trafford would be ace too if they fancied it.”
Angels United recently gained recognition for their work at Manchester Sports Awards by MCRactive, taking top spot in the Community Project of the Year category.
Speaking about the win, Olly told Mancunian Matters: “We never set up Angels United with a view to winning any awards – it was a way to remember our children.
“This award is for them and it was incredible to be in the room with some truly amazing people. When it comes to sporting achievements, Manchester is second to none.”
The club is now looking to expand into other sports, such as rugby, cricket and ‘walk and talk’ groups to allow more flexibility for existing and new members.
Olly teased some big plans for the next 12 months, including a confirmed 11-a-side charity football tournament set to take place on June 1, 2024.
Hosted by Angels United, the upcoming #BreakTheSilence tournament has already received overwhelming interest with clubs from Belfast to Brighton eager to join.
You can find out more on the Angels United FC website.
Featured image courtesy of Angels United. Copyright – Elizabeth Baker Photography.
