Community

David Flitcroft To Lead 12-Hour 'Coachathon' To Fund Vital Mental Health Safety Net For Bolton Community

27th November 2025

In a defining display of the "One Club, One Community, One Town" spirit, former Wanderers coach David Flitcroft will lead a 12-hour "Grassroots Coachathon" at Sharples Sports Centre this Saturday.

He will be actively supported by former manager Sam Allardyce and current Academy coach Julian Darby, as the club's past and present unite to "Break the Stigma" surrounding mental health.

The marathon event, running from 09:00 to 21:00, will see Flitcroft coach 24 local grassroots teams back-to-back. The primary objective is to fund annual subscriptions for the "Safety Net" - a digital wellbeing platform that equips clubs, parents and coaches with the tools to identify "red flags" for addiction and mental health crises.

For Flitcroft, this event is a tribute to his father, John, who took his own life in 2008. FC Strikerz, the grassroots club Flitcroft founded, bears the initials "JF" on its crest - "The spirit of John Flitcroft".

"It affects you incredibly," Flitcroft said, describing the moment his life changed. "I was in a real dark place. I fell apart. The way it was put to me was that this bomb had gone off in my head and I was now dealing with the chaos after it".

Flitcroft credits the routine and camaraderie of football with his survival. "Football and family saved me. I just got busy. If we are getting busy, we are getting better".

The initiative has received unequivocal backing from Bolton Wanderers Chairman Sharon Brittan. Since her arrival, Brittan has placed community wellbeing at the heart of her leadership, emphasising that the club must be a "platform to do good".

"David is a true ambassador for the town of Bolton," Sharon stated. "He has turned a personal tragedy into a lifeline for others. We are fully supportive of this Coachathon because it proves that our One Wanderers Family ethos is a meaningful action and not just a phrase. We are here to look after our own".

Sam Allardyce, the figurehead of the club's modern golden era, will be pitch-side to support Flitcroft and the participating teams.

"I have been overwhelmed by the response," Flitcroft noted. "Top coaches want to give back. Nobody has said no yet".

Adding vital local heritage to the line-up is another club legend, Julian Darby. A lifelong Wanderer with over 300 appearances for the club, Darby now guides the next generation as the Under-18s Academy Coach. He will deliver a specialist session, bridging the gap between the town’s grassroots foundations and its professional academy.

Proceeds from the event will provide the "Safety Net" platform (developed by AIM-FOR) to local clubs. The service offers 24/7 digital support, pathwaying users to professional help and addressing modern challenges such as vaping and addiction.

"We can't get referees to referee games now because they do not feel safe," Flitcroft warned. "I am at the rock face and it needs support. If it is good enough for the Premier League, why not the grassroots community? This is a pyramid and sometimes we forget where it starts".