Exeter Royals FC recognised nationally for supporting players through tragedy

A grassroots football club in Exeter has been recognised nationally for the extraordinary way it has supported its players and wider community following two devastating tragedies.

Exeter Royals FC has been praised by The Football Association for the compassion and commitment shown by volunteers Becky and Nicky Bridges, who have gone above and beyond to care for young players after the club was rocked by the suicides of two members.

The pair, who serve as club treasurer and club secretary, were nominated for special recognition because of their tireless efforts to support the mental health and wellbeing of the team.

In response to the tragedies, they helped raise and donate more than £1,000 to a men’s mental health charity and are now working on creating a dedicated app to ensure players can access immediate support whenever they need it.

As a surprise thank you, representatives from England Football recently visited the club to present Becky and Nicky with a signed England shirt and match tickets – a gesture acknowledging the vital role they play within the Exeter-based club.

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Speaking about how far the Royals have come, Becky Bridges said: “We started from nothing, with nothing – and it’s hard – but we got it all by ourselves.”

Her sister-in-law and fellow volunteer Nicky Bridges explained just how important the club has become to those involved.

“It is hard because within our club, we’ve had tragedy, so looking after them is really important,” she said. “The club is a big thing for us.”

Following the losses, the Bridges family and other volunteers stepped up to ensure no player felt alone.

As part of that commitment, the club is now developing a bespoke mental health support app aimed specifically at helping young men who may be struggling.

“At the moment as a club we are creating an app,” Nicky added.

Coach Steve Bridges outlined how the new system is designed to work: “If they are struggling and they are in need of support, then they can just press the button – it calls the Samaritans straight away and they’re on the end of the line for them.”

The initiative is part of a wider effort by Exeter Royals to tackle the growing issue of mental health among young men – a problem that affects communities across Devon and the UK.

According to national figures, suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK, making the club’s work particularly significant at a local level.

Becky said fundraising had also been a key focus.

“We donated about £1,000 to men’s mental health,” she confirmed, adding that the whole club had pulled together to make it happen.

The dedication of the volunteers has not gone unnoticed by players or fellow coaches.

Craig Bridges, one of the team’s coaches, described Becky and Nicky as central to everything Exeter Royals stands for.

“They are the backbone of the club and they’ve been there to support us and support the lads,” he said.

Exeter Royals FC, which operates several youth and adult teams in the city, has long prided itself on being more than just a football club. In recent years it has become a close-knit community where players, families and volunteers look out for one another on and off the pitch.

The FA recognition highlights the crucial role grassroots clubs play in supporting young people, particularly during difficult times.

For Becky, Nicky and the rest of the Exeter Royals family, the focus now remains on ensuring that every player knows help is always available.

As Nicky put it: “Looking after them is really important – and that’s what this club is all about.”