27/07/2026
🎉 4 YEARS OF BAMBER MHFC & AFC BAMBER ⚽
Four years ago today, none of us could have imagined where this journey would take us.
It all started in July 2022 with just 6 lads, playing 3 vs 3 in the pouring rain on a 5-a-side pitch at South Ribble Tennis Centre. No grand plans, no huge expectations... just a few people coming together for football and support.
Fast forward four years, and what a journey it's been...
The Journey so far...
⚽ July 2022 – Our first ever session with just 6 people.
🏟️ October 2022 – Moved to the larger pitches at Bamber Bridge Leisure Centre.
📅 January 2023 – Launched our second weekly session on Wednesdays.
🤝 April 2023 – Played our first competitive match against another mental health football team, going on to play another 14 that year.
🥾 2024 – Organised the first ever Walk Together, Talk Together Charity Walk.
⚽ 2024/25 – AFC Bamber joined the Lancashire Sunday League... and yes, we finished bottom! 😂
🇪🇸 2025 – Travelled to Spain for our first ever international tournament.
📈 2025/26 – AFC Bamber bounced back to finish 5th in the Sunday League.
🏆 2026 – Organised the first ever Men's Mental Health Cup, bringing mental health football teams together from across the region.
In just four years we've achieved:
⚽️ Over 500 mental health football sessions.
⚽ Over 100 competitive matches across Bamber MHFC & AFC Bamber.
👥 A community of 150+ members and counting.
💪🏼 Countless friendships, conversations, laughs, goals, and memories.
From six people in the rain to a thriving football club and community... this has never just been about football.
It's about creating a safe place where men can turn up, be themselves, make friends, improve their mental health, and know they're never alone.
To every player, volunteer, supporter, sponsor, family member and friend who has been part of this journey... thank you. You've helped build something truly special.
Here's to everything we've achieved together...
..and here's to the next chapter. 📖 ⚽
We are more than just a football club... we are a community.
