Posted on 14th July 2026
Better Together Cup: Non-league clubs shine light on mental health
Non-league and community-owned clubs will be coming together this week to shine a light on mental health as part of the “Better Together” weekend.
Running from this Friday 17th July to Sunday 19th at Croft Park – the home of Blyth Spartans in Northumberland – the event will feature a networking event for non-league clubs and mental health service providers, followed by a friendly tournament between five community-owned clubs.
Blyth Spartans are hosting the event alongside Tyneside and Northumberland Mind, Spartans in the Community and the Football Supporters’ Association. It is supported by the Northumberland Football Association and QTS Data Centres.
Timetable
Friday: Football, communities and wellbeing – networking event
The event offers an opportunity to bring together existing partnerships and build new ones as football clubs, supporters’ organisations, local and national mental health service providers and community groups come together to share good practice and experiences.
There will be presentations by Clarke Carlisle (chair of Spartans in the Community and chair-designate of Mind), Andrew Madaras (Dunstable and the FSA National Council member leading the #YouAreEnough campaign), Alex Wilson (chief executive of Tyneside and Northumberland Mind) and Kevin Miles (FSA chief executive and chair of Blyth Spartans).
This event will run from 10am to 3pm with lunch provided. Sign-up here.
Saturday & Sunday: Better Together Cup
On Saturday 18th July and Sunday 19th July 2026 the inaugural “Better Together Cup” friendly tournament will be held at Croft Park.
The Better Together Cup will be competed for by five invited teams: Blyth Spartans, Ashington, AFC Newbiggin; Horley Town, newly promoted to the Isthmian League Division One South East, and Dunstable of the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division.
Fixtures:
Saturday – Blyth Spartans v Horley Town (2.15pm), Dunstable v AFC Newbiggin (6pm)
Sunday – Ashington v Horley Town (12pm), Blyth Spartans v Dunstable (3.30pm)
Tickets will be available via the Blyth Spartans website, priced at £10 per day, or £15 for a two-day ticket; concessionary prices will also be available.
