Father Establishes Football Team to Support Men After Baby Loss

A father’s experience of losing a baby before birth prompted him to establish a football team catering to other men in similar circumstances. Ross Joyner, a resident of Worcester, learned that his baby, Daisy, had passed away in June 2023 when he and his partner were informed by nurses that no heartbeat could be detected during a scan. Following a moment where he “snapped a little,” a midwife encouraged him to create a football team for fathers who had undergone a miscarriage or stillbirth. This encouragement led to the formation of Sands United FC Worcester. The team currently consists of at least 15 members. Joyner stated, “We’re all in the same place, we know that someone’s there because he has lost his little one, and we’ve lost ours.” He recounted attempting to maintain a normal routine, including the school run and caring for his partner, but eventually found it overwhelming. Joyner remarked, “What me and my partner went through, I wouldn’t wish on anyone it’s absolutely horrendous but the people that I’ve met through this journey have been incredible.” He added, “We’ve got this unique bond that a lot of people probably do share, but they’re not very open about it.” The team convenes for training sessions at RGS Grange pitches every Thursday. Members are not obligated to discuss their loss if they prefer not to; a casual game of football is perfectly acceptable. “Sometimes we don’t speak about it, but we know where the group is when we need them,” he explained. “If we can get that hour a week where we’ve got someone that’s really down, but they turn and they’re smiling, its to take away a bit of downside.” Content from BBC Hereford & Worcester is accessible on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites. Information regarding the BBC’s approach to external linking is available.