Sutton Coldfield Town Women’s goalkeeper Neve Jones spoke with Park Life Sport on how her mental health has affected her both on and off the pitch, as she stepped down from first team football at the beginning of the season.
She returned to first-team action at the beginning of December last year with a 2-1 triumph over Leafield Athletic but labelled her move to the development side at the start of the season the ‘right decision’ as she bravely battled her anxiety and coped with mental health struggles.
“As pre-season finished and the season was just starting I was struggling mentally with my anxiety, and I think moving to the devs was definitely the right decision, I needed that step across where there was less pressure, I’m friends with a lot of the girls there so that really helped.
“Pre-season was quite difficult, physically and mentally, last season wasn’t so bad because we hadn’t played in the National League so there wasn’t really that pressure or expectation to play well, whereas this season was quite difficult and that really affected me.”
Jones has played eight games since returning, keeping four clean sheets, as she spoke on how she wanted to step up for her team upon her return to first team football.
“It came about when Steve (Benyon) came in, we just didn’t have another keeper that was available, and I thought this is really the moment for me where I can step up and see if I’m ready for first team football again.
“That was when we played Leafield at home, it was a great game and a brilliant win, and from then I really thought I could push and be back in the first team.”
Jones talked about the importance of not letting bad results get the better of her, and how it’s vital for the team to pick themselves back up and stay confident.
“Yes we learn from performances where we think we could’ve played better, but I think it’s more important to move on from it, and not dwell on them.”
