Street art captures iconic Preston North End moment for World Mental Health Day

A plaque on the street art explains the campaign Pic: Blog Preston

A new piece of street art has appeared in Preston as part of a mental health awareness campaign.

The mural by Elroy the Artist, which is located outside the old BHS store in Fishergate, depicts the moment Tom Clarke scored against Blackpool in 2013.

Fans voted Clarke’s header as North End’s most iconic English Football League (EFL) moment as part of an EFL and Mind campaign for World Mental Health Day 2019, called Goals Worth Talking About.

Preston North End are one of eight EFL clubs across the country to be part of the campaign. The murals aim to highlight how football is often a conversation starter, and the importance of talking when it comes to mental health support.

Photos of each piece of street art will be collated for an exhibition in London today (Thursday 10 October), to mark World Mental Health Day.

The street art in Fishergate — The street art is outside the old BHS store in Fishergate Pic: Blog Preston

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said, “We know that football and emotion go hand in hand. That’s why we’re delighted to be marking World Mental Health Day this year with Goals Worth Talking About, as part of our charity partnership with the EFL.

“Football has the power to bring about real change. We hope that by harnessing the passion and emotion fans have about their clubs’ most significant goal through these fantastic pieces of street art, we can encourage more people to start up conversations about their emotions and ultimately their mental health too.

“Together, Mind and the EFL hope that Goals Worth Talking About can be the inspiration to people to make their first step to getting support.”

Debbie Jevans, EFL Executive Chair, said, “The EFL is proud to be associated with Mind as our charity partner and we are pleased to be able to work together to highlight the challenges around mental health on World Mental Health Day.

“The power of football and the Club badge provides a platform like no other and through the Goals Worth Talking About campaign and the EFL’s wider partnership with Mind, we aim to continue to encourage conversations and improve the approach to mental health in both football and in the wider society.”

A Preston North End spokesperson said: “We are delighted to be part of Mind’s work with the EFL in raising awareness of the challenges of mental health. We are pleased to be a part of this opportunity to show how football can play its part in getting people talking and supporting those in need of assistance, especially with World Mental Health Day upon us.”

To find out more about the campaign, visit the EFL website. For advice and support, visit the Mind website.

What do you think of the street art? Let us know in the comments below.