Prescribing the beautiful game: Can free tickets help mental health?

[Curtis]

An NHS pilot scheme in Gloucestershire allows GPs in the area to prescribe tickets to Forest Green home games to patients with depression.

This initiative is not just about watching football. It's about the day itself because when you come to a match, you meet new people, friends, engage with family.

There are more than eight million adults in England taking antidepressants, according to NHS figures.

For the 'Football on Prescription', external scheme, the Cotswolds-based club linked up with Labour MP for Stroud, Dr Simon Opher.

Instead of tablets, patients are prescribed a match ticket in the hope that the sense of belonging that comes with cheering on a team can play a role in improving mental health.

[GlenSTFC]

There’s a joke in here somewhere but I just can’t find it…

[Reading Rebel]

2 hours ago, Curtis said:

An NHS pilot scheme in Gloucestershire allows GPs in the area to prescribe tickets to Forest Green home games to patients with depression.

This initiative is not just about watching football. It's about the day itself because when you come to a match, you meet new people, friends, engage with family.

 

There are more than eight million adults in England taking antidepressants, according to NHS figures.

For the 'Football on Prescription', external scheme, the Cotswolds-based club linked up with Labour MP for Stroud, Dr Simon Opher.

Instead of tablets, patients are prescribed a match ticket in the hope that the sense of belonging that comes with cheering on a team can play a role in improving mental health.

Nice idea.

[Bernie Gogan]

Good idea, but I guess you'd have to be Vegan for the day if you want something to eat. I've been, nice club and ground in a great area too. I'm not averse to vegan food either!

Awful 2nd strip btw!

[Reading Rebel]

55 minutes ago, Bernie Gogan said:

Good idea, but I guess you'd have to be Vegan for the day if you want something to eat. I've been, nice club and ground in a great area too. I'm not averse to vegan food either!

Awful 2nd strip btw!

Weren't they originally called Stroud fc? who I think we've played before many years ago.

[Irishadrian]

On 31/10/2025 at 18:29, Reading Rebel said:

Nice idea.

Let me get this clear  People known to be depressed and possibly suicidal have to watch Forest Green Rovers. Mmmmmmmmm

[Reading Rebel]

9 minutes ago, Irishadrian said:

Let me get this clear  People known to be depressed and possibly suicidal have to watch Forest Green Rovers. Mmmmmmmmm

It's not compulsory.

If they are local and visit the docs it's one way of trying to tackle their depression before or alongside prescribing the pills.

[grandad]

1 hour ago, Reading Rebel said:

Weren't they originally called Stroud fc? who I think we've played before many years ago.

No. Apart from a short spell when they called themselves Stroud to try to appeal to the wider community, they have always been Forest Green Rovers. We played them in the Trophy when they were Stroud, you are correct in that. Back in the 70s from memory they used to play Burnham in the Hellenic League as FGR. Forest Green is a very small hamlet up the hill from Nailsworth.

[Irishadrian]

2nd Dec 1989

Stroud FC 1.         Slough Town 10

[Irishadrian]

Stroud were unbeaten in their previous 9 Beaver league games prior to this

Goals Stanley 4  Johnson 3 (2Pens)

Rake 1 Adams 1  OG 1

[Reading Rebel]

1 hour ago, grandad said:

No. Apart from a short spell when they called themselves Stroud to try to appeal to the wider community, they have always been Forest Green Rovers. We played them in the Trophy when they were Stroud, you are correct in that. Back in the 70s from memory they used to play Burnham in the Hellenic League as FGR. Forest Green is a very small hamlet up the hill from Nailsworth.

So not originally called Stroud but changed it from FGR for a short period then back to FGR?

[grandad]

That's correct Reading Rebel.