How PFA NI is helping footballers in Northern Ireland be more open about mental health

• Michael Carvill, the General Manager of Professional Footballers’ Association of Northern Ireland (PFA NI), talks about the vital services the union provides to players on mental health and gambling
  
  
• Carvill, who played in Northern Ireland’s top-flight from 2008 to 2021, also talks about changing embedded cultures and old mindsets with regards to player contracts
  
  
• PFA NI became a candidate member of FIFPRO in November 2024

The football community in Northern Ireland was rocked by the devastating news of Cliftonville defender Michael Newberry’s sudden passing on his 27th birthday on 30 December 2024.

Tributes from players, clubs and fans across the league poured in for the much-loved Newcastle-native, who had been in match action just days before. Cliftonville and Linfield, Newberry’s former side, announced the postponement of their respective games that evening to allow his current and former team-mates to process the news.

"I got a call that morning from the league’s chief executive. It blew me away," said Michael Carvill, PFA NI’s General Manager. "It’s a strange feeling when you’re working in a player body and something like that happens to one of your members. Michael was such a lovely guy. The news really did shake the whole football infrastructure of Northern Ireland."

Newberry’s sudden passing reinforced once again the importance of being open about mental health. As well as getting top-flight players on their podcast to talk openly about the issue, the union has helped dozens of footballers via their mental health services, in which three players have required serious interventions.

"No matter how many workshops or mental health toolkits there are, how many players we’ve helped and how many interventions we’ve made, this is still sadly going to happen. That’s why it’s so important we’re in a position where we can deal with the tragedy and trauma of it, so that we can be in a better position to support players.

"It’s an area we’re working closely on with the Irish Football Association (IFA), the Northern Ireland Football league (NIFL), and clubs to ensure players are getting that crucial support."

The union also works closely with club chaplains, who act as trusted confidants for players and who report back to the union should they need professional support.

"When I was a player, the last person I would have spoken to about my struggles was my manager or my club, because if my manager then deems me unfit to play the next match, that means I lose my place in the starting 11, and then if I lose my place in the starting 11, I might lose my contract at the end of the year," said Carvill, a five-time league winner with Linfield (three) and Crusaders (two).

"Players now feel comfortable coming to the union and speaking about these things. We’ve also linked up with a psychiatrist who is going to be doing interventions at two of the top clubs, so he can build a connection with the players and help them feel more comfortable speaking about this. We need to encourage more openness."

Gambling – the 'epidemic' of football in NI

Part of that openness has seen many players in Northern Ireland come to the union to discuss their struggles with gambling, something which Carvill described as an "epidemic".

According to Carvill, a "high volume" of players have reached out to the union for support on their gambling addictions. As well as working closely with the Irish FA via a player support group, the union offers Gamblers Anonymous counselling and puts players in touch with psychologists for professional help.

"When I played in the league, I was surrounded by people who were big gamblers," said Carvill, who played in Northern Ireland’s top-flight from 2008 to 2021.

"One player that came to us was doing £500 (600 EUR) roulette spins on his phone. Players are now starting to speak out on this, which is fantastic and it’s a start, but it’s an issue I think we haven't even got anywhere near to the root of yet."

A cruel irony of footballers struggling with gambling addiction in Northern Ireland is that bookmakers have a strong grasp on sponsorship of leading clubs and competitions. Indeed, last Sunday’s League Cup showpiece on 9 March 2025 saw the two finalists – Cliftonville and Glentoran – each displaying different gambling companies as their shirt sponsor, while the competition itself is sponsored by a bookmaker.

"I strongly feel these bookmakers coming in with sponsorship funds also have a responsibility to protect and support our members and make them more aware of the dangers of gambling," said Carvill. "It’s something we’re currently exploring."

PFA NI Timeline

• August 2019: PFA NI founded
• May 2023: Officially launched
• June 2023: Granted FIFPRO observer status
• November 2024: Granted FIFPRO candidate status

'Players bringing the power of their voice'

Since being granted FIFPRO observer status and later becoming a candidate member of the global player union, PFA NI has been negotiating with an employment lawyer and the IFA around the development of a new standard player contract. The union hopes to have an agreement in place this year.

"The current agreement hasn’t been updated since I was a player and doesn’t protect the rights of footballers," said Carvill. "We're also discussing the memorandum of understanding with the women's national team that was agreed last year. That's ongoing and we're reviewing that on a year-to-year basis."