Boxing champion and lifelong West Ham United supporter Frank Bruno MBE visited London Stadium for the Hammers’ win over Luton Town as part of the Premier League’s Inside Matters mental health awareness campaign.
Bruno, who famously won the WBC heavyweight title in 1995 and fought the likes of ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson and fellow Hammer Lennox Lewis during his storied 45-fight career, became a household name during the 1980s and 1990s.
Since hanging up his gloves, however, Bruno has had well-documented struggles with mental health and was diagnosed as having bipolar disorder in 2003.
The 62-year-old now spends a significant amount of his time using his profile to address the stigma attached to mental health and to help raise the standards of care given to those suffering with mental health issues. He supports charities and set up The Frank Bruno Foundation in 2017 to provide a safe environment for young people with mental health issues.
Bruno’s visit to London Stadium coincided with the Premier League’s Inside Matters campaign, which sees the League and Clubs encouraging fans to check in on each other and talk about mental health. The campaign has been visible at all Premier League matches between 11-15 May, while it coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from 13-19 May.
New research commissioned by the Premier League reveals that 84 per cent of fans believe football helps start conversations, with 82 per cent comfortable talking about their own mental health. More than two thirds (68 per cent) say they would talk to the friends they see at football about their mental health, which rises to 83 per cent among young men aged 18-34.
“Mental Health hits so many people in different ways,” explained Bruno. “People used to put mental health issues under the floorboards, but now they are speaking about it more and more and coming out with things, and that is really good.
“Years ago, it was difficult to come out with things and talk about mental heath, but things are changing where people feel like they can really talk about issues, and it is much better.
“When I left boxing, no one talked about it, and that wasn’t helpful.
“I had a trainer called George Francis who told me that the biggest fight in your life is when you retire from boxing. He warned me that you have to face up to life outside the ring, and all of the good and bad things that come with that.
“He told me the biggest battle is when you get bored at home and you have nothing to do and he was right.
“A lot of people just hold things in and beat themselves up. A lot of men in particular hold it in and it can take a lot of strength to open up.”
Bruno said getting out and about is a really important way to support positive mental heath, as well as being in good company at events such as football matches.
“It is important to stay fit and active,” he said. “I run every day and go to the gym twice a day and that helps.
“Coming here to West Ham United today, it is nice to get out of the house and see a few people that you know.
“My advice to people is to take care of yourself and always watch what you and those around you are doing. If you see certain people in your family acting strange, try and do them a favour and take them to the doctor.
“It isn’t a weakness at all.”
Bruno also explained that his love and support of West Ham United dates back to the start of his boxing career, when he used to work with the Hammers’ medical staff at the Boleyn Ground when he was just a teenager.
“I remember watching Frank Lampard’s dad play, Frank Lampard Senior,” he said. “I was actually mainly in the physio room back then.
“The manager at the time, John Lyall, allowed me to go in the physio room so the physios could help me look after my hands and my knuckles when I was an up-and-coming boxer. I was only 18 or 19 at the time.
“The physios used to make jokes with me and gave me tickets to watch West Ham games and it was a fantastic time.
“The generosity West Ham gave me when I was young was amazing. The Club was amazing and the physios used to really look after me.”
All 20 Premier League clubs have a dedicated team of Player Care staff to support mental and emotional wellbeing for those in Academies, up to the first team. More than 100 mental and emotional wellbeing sessions have been delivered this season through the Academy Lifeskills and Personal Development programme.
For further mental health support, fans can visit the Mental Health Foundation.
