Windsor & Eton to kick off next match at Stag Meadow two minutes late

In support of World Mental Health Day (Tuesday, October 10), Windsor & Eton will kick off their next competitive fixture at Stag Meadow two minutes late to give supporters a chance to check in with those who are close by to ask them 'how are you?'.

The club are urging supporters to 'bring a friend' to the game and Matt Angell's side will begin their Berks & Bucks Charles Twelftree clash against Kennington Athletic on Saturday, October 14 at 2:32pm.

The match is supposed to kick off at 2:30pm, however, the two-minute delay is designed to encourage supporters to turn to one another and check on their wellbeing.

The idea was suggested by Michael Gegg – Windsor & Eton fan and club communications lead – who recently lost one of his close friends to suicide. He said he hopes the impact will be 'very powerful'.

“One in six adults experience a mental health issue such as anxiety and depression during any given week in England,” club chairman Mark Cooper told the Express.

“It’s World Mental Health Day on October 10 and we are keen to raise awareness of it before our next match starts.

“We are kicking off later than the intended time with a directive over the PA system encouraging fans to check in with whoever is around them. It was Michael who came up with this idea. He’s just lost someone quite close to him. I think it is a really good idea, one that many [clubs] should get behind for the sake of two minutes, to see what benefits it can bring to people.”

Cooper added: “I certainly haven’t heard of another club doing something like this, and fair play to the Berks & Bucks FA because they are behind the initiative aswell which is brilliant. Once we get an official appointed for the game, we will let them know of the idea and hopefully they are happy for us to go ahead with it.”