Rangers goalie Liam Kelly has thrown his full backing behind the Rangers Charity Foundation’s pioneering mental health initiative, Team Talk, after meeting firsthand with the men whose lives it’s lifted.
The goalkeeper’s enthusiasm comes just in time for tonight’s Europa League quarter‑final against Athletic Club, where the Team Talk logo will proudly replace Unibet’s regular shirt sponsorship space.
From Pitch to Peer Support
💙 Ahead of tonight's @EuropaLeague match, learn more about our Official Front of Shirt Partner @unibet's Team Talk initiative in collaboration with the @RFC_Charity.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) April 17, 2025
➡️ For more information and to register for free, visit: https://t.co/haafThqnGI pic.twitter.com/m4VW6MqxRc
Since kicking off in 2020, Team Talk has harnessed the universal language of football to draw in men who might otherwise shy away from opening up.
Funded by Rangers’ long‑standing partner FDJ United (the parent company of 32Red and Unibet), the programme tackles the stark reality that an estimated four million men in the UK face mental health challenges.
“I am feeling very good. I was solid in the tough afternoon conditions, so I am very happy,” said Kelly, reflecting on his own experience with pressure.
While these words were spoken after a different kind of challenge—battling afternoon winds on the training ground—they perfectly capture the resilience Team Talk aims to foster.
How Team Talk Works
- Weekly Football Sessions: Free, informal kickabouts improve physical fitness and foster camaraderie.
- Mental Health Catch‑Up Area: A safe space where participants can share struggles without judgment.
- Virtual Meet‑Ups: Online sessions for those who can’t make it to Alllanpark, ensuring support reaches men wherever they are.
John Joyce, Coach at the Rangers Charity Foundation, explains the programme’s ethos: “I would say to any man who is feeling as if they’re on their own: get yourself involved with Team Talk programme.
There is still a stigma attached to men talking about what problems they may have, but we see that lifting when they become involved with the project. It’s a safe, inclusive and welcoming space for men – all while using football and Rangers as a familiar hook.”
Voices from the Grassroots
Participants speak of life‑changing benefits that extend far beyond the final whistle. Alan Slater, one of the men who now never misses a Wednesday session, said, “Every man has one form of problem or another – big or small.
If you’re struggling, there’s somebody there for you through Team Talk. It’s a new friendship group for life and can be a source of exercise too.
People just assume Unibet is another gambling sponsor on a shirt, but they don’t know that Unibet are helping with this programme, which is a great thing for our community.”
Echoing that sentiment, Andy Keenan added, “It’s changed my life. I was in the house a lot and didn’t go out much, but now I look forward to coming here after work.
I would thoroughly recommend it to other men in the same position. You might feel a bit shy at first, but everyone involved makes you feel welcome. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
A Partnership with Purpose
The alliance between Rangers and FDJ United—encompassing 32Red and Unibet—marks one of British football’s longest‑running and most community‑driven partnerships, dating back to 2014.
Tom Banks, Group Head of Corporate Affairs at FDJ United, underlines their commitment: “Our partnership with Rangers is acknowledged as being one the longest running and most impactful in British football.
We continue to challenge ourselves to provide support not just for the club, but for its local communities as well, which is why the Team Talk programme has been so effective.
“Thousands of local men have benefited who otherwise would not have done. We’re proud to, once again, donate the normal front-of-shirt logo space to Team Talk for a big match and to continue to support the project in the years ahead. Good luck to everyone at Rangers ahead of their match against Athletic Club tonight.”
Looking Ahead
As Liam Kelly steps onto the pitch this evening, the significance of the Europa League quarter‑final takes on a richer meaning.
It’s a reminder that football’s power goes well beyond the final whistle, offering hope, solidarity, and a vital lifeline to men who need it most.
