Together Against Suicide, Tottenham Hotspur FC, The Premier League, Legend on the Bench in Memory of Joe Lyons

A VERY SPECIAL DAY AT TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 💙

Today was a very special and very emotional day for me and for everyone involved with Legend on the Bench. 

To see one of our Suicide Prevention Benches installed at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, in memory of Joe Lyon’s and in conjunction with the Premier League and Tottenham Hotspur, as part of the Together Against Suicide campaign, is something I will never forget.

THFC has been a huge part of my life, and it always will be. To now have a Legend on the Bench at the home of the club I love, carrying such an important message of hope, support and suicide prevention, is incredibly special.

To have Joe’s Parents & Sister Louisa present at the reveal was very poignant and heartwarming, such lovely people who carried themselves with such pride and dignity.

Representatives from the Premier League were also there to support the occasion. The Together Against Suicide Campaign is just first class and their presence meant a great deal to all of us at LOTB.

Tottenham were very well represented too, with our CEO, Vinai Venkatesham present, alongside Conor Gallagher and Tony Stevens. Osvaldo Ardiles, Mark Falco and David Howells were also in attendance supporting this wonderful cause. They all played such a lovely part in the day and helped make it the special occasion it was.

We were also delighted to have Good Morning Britain with us. They filmed the occasion and spoke to some of the key people involved, helping us take the message of mental health and suicide prevention to an even bigger audience.

The unveiling itself was carried out by Conor Gallagher, David and Hudson Howells and Joe Lyon’s sister Louisa, and, as always, it was one of the most beautiful sights. A very poignant moment arrived as David and Louisa placed 2 of Joe’s Spurs football shirts on the bench, simply beautiful.

Seeing them standing together around that bench, each with their own reason for being there, was incredibly moving.

The speeches were beautiful and poignant and spoke with such sincerity and honesty. 💙

First up was Louisa and, I mean, wow. She spoke with such calmness, passion and bravery. It was wonderful to witness and, in truth, it was perfect, especially as she spoke so beautifully about her brother Joe. Sometimes words are hard to find, but Louisa found the words Joe would have been so proud of. I’m sure Joe’s mum and dad, listening on, must have been filled with so much pride

Next up was our own David Howells, who spoke with such kindness, honesty and care about the importance of these benches, mental health and suicide prevention. He also took the time to acknowledge the wonderful speech Louisa had just given. Such a big supporter of our Charity we intend to make him one of our Ambassadors.

Then came David’s 11-year-old son, Hudson. He was amazing. Such confidence, such clarity in the words he spoke, and a real understanding of the subject he was talking about. It honestly blew me away. One day, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hudson speaking in Parliament. Well done, Hudson. You were brilliant.

When people with voices like theirs stand up and speak openly, people listen. And that is exactly what we need if we are going to make a real difference.

And that is how we change things. That is how we start to remove the stigma. That is how we make it easier for somebody to say, “I’m not OK.”

And I genuinely believe that, with people like these standing alongside us, we are well on our way to making a real difference. One day, hopefully sooner rather than later, we will see a change.

There is no doubt in my mind. 💙

I want to say something very special to Joe Lyon’s family. 

This bench has been dedicated to Joe, and I know that behind today’s occasion is a level of heartbreak that words can never truly describe. Despite your pain, you have carried yourselves with such dignity, strength and pride. We are incredibly proud to stand alongside you, and we hope this bench will become a place where people can stop, sit down, talk, listen and perhaps find a little bit of hope when they need it most.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of Joes memory. 💙

A massive thank you to the Premier League for their Together Against Suicide campaign and for recognising how important it is to use the power and influence of football to start conversations and, ultimately, help save lives.

A huge, huge thank you to Tottenham Hotspur for leading from the front with your support of the Together Against Suicide campaign and, of course, for the incredible support you continue to give to Legend on the Bench. Nothing you do surprises me, your acts of kindness often go unnoticed, but i see them, sometimes i look on in admiration at the kind things you do, and use it as my inspiration to be like you.

You are, and always will be, my football club and my love. 💙

A big thank you to Conor Gallagher for coming along and helping to unveil the bench, your presence was much appreciated and your support was exceptional, a proper top man. When footballers and people in the public eye stand up and make a statement about mental health and suicide prevention, so many more people listen. That can make a real difference.

Thank you, Conor. 💙

I also want to say a massive thank you to two very special friends and former teammates of mine, Mark Falco and Ossie Ardiles, who is also an Ambassador for Legend on the Bench. These two boys have been with us from day one. They have given up their time, travelled to unveilings, spoken to people, supported families and used their voices to help us get our message across.

They have been there for us time and time again, and I will never take that for granted.

Thank you, boys. You are different class. 💙

A big thank you to our CEO Vinai, taking the time to show up and support this unveiling was amazing to see, and standing alongside us in our quest to save lives was very much appreciated by all in attendance. Thank You 💙

Another very special thank you has to go to my great friend and former teammate David Howells, and his son Hudson.

David and Hudson have become such a huge part of what we are trying to achieve. They have turned up on numerous occasions, unveiled benches, given speeches, spoken to families and, most importantly, simply been there for people who needed someone to talk to. Today they were there again, helping to unveil this very special bench.

David, Hudson, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

In my eyes, you are both superstars. 💙

A massive and I mean massive Thank You to the Legend on the Bench Team, through rain, sun, snow, and wind you keep going in our quest to save lives. You do it all without payment and that is simply amazing. If you were a Premier League Team there’s no doubt you would be Champions. Thank you for all you do X💙

And finally, but certainly not least, Tony Stevens.

I honestly don’t think there are enough words to describe this man and the kindness he shows to people.

His support, his effort and his commitment are incredible. Whatever you ask of Tony, he doesn’t just say he’ll try, he makes it his business to get it done.

Tony, today you made one of my biggest wishes come true.

To see a Legend on the Bench Suicide Prevention Bench at Tottenham Hotspur is something I have dreamed about, and without you, quite simply, it would not have happened.

Everyone at Legend on the Bench loves and respects you, and we will forever be grateful for everything you do, not just for us, but for so many other people as well.

Thank you, Tony.

You really are a superstar. 💙👍

Today wasn’t just about a bench. It was about people. It was about remembering Joe. It was about supporting his family. It was about opening conversations that might otherwise never happen. And above all, it was about hope.

Because sometimes, all someone needs is for another person to stop, sit beside them and say, “Are you OK?”

That simple question can be the beginning of something that changes everything.

I am incredibly proud of what Legend on the Bench is building, and to see our message standing proudly at Tottenham Hotspur makes me incredibly emotional.

Football has an incredible voice. Today, that voice was used to say something that really matters.

You are not alone. Talk to someone. Ask for help. There is always hope. 💙

Thank you to everyone who made today possible.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. 💙🙏

Together Against Suicide, Tottenham Hotspur FC, The Premier League, Legend on the Bench. 💙

Now I’m  off to have a rest, it’s been emotional and I’m drained. Tomorrow there will be another person to help, another story to tell and another little bit of hope to put into the world. But for now I’m feeling very proud but very tired, so goodnight all, love you all. 💙💙💙