Sky Sports' Johnny Phillips: Beder FC lives on as a sign of hope through football

When the players of Beder FC run out at Fulham’s Motspur Park training ground, they will be taking the first strides on a journey which they hope will take the club all over the country.

This is a unique project – the squad members will change from game to game and the club is open to all.

Beder FC is embarking on an ambitious fixture list which is aimed at engaging with young people across the country in the name of mental health and suicide prevention.

It has been founded in memory of Beder Mirjan, a young Fulham fan who took his own life in April 2017.

“It was pretty much out of the blue, he was only 18 years old,” says his brother, Razzak. “He was loved by all, a giant of a man with a caring personality and excellent sense of humour.

“I just don’t think he ever felt like he was good enough.

“It was a complete shock to us all.

“We have an unbelievably close family that, luckily, has come closer together following the loss of Beder and not been torn apart.”

Razzak was determined to ensure his brother’s life would be commemorated in a positive way that could become a force for good.

The family founded a charity in his name, raising awareness around mental health and suicide prevention through unique and inspiring initiatives.

The charity has partnered with Young Minds and the Samaritans, promoting their work and signposting people to their existing resources.

Beder FC is an example of the recreational initiatives being organised by the charity.

“Beder enjoyed rowing, but playing football was my thing really – it’s been a great way to build relationships and break down barriers,” Razzak continues. “Through our personal story, this is a chance to engage with others.

“The more people talk about mental health and suicide, and share their thoughts, it opens up that conversation.

“And it removes the fear and stigma surrounding these important societal issues.

“We want people to feel it’s OK to talk about it, that they’re not alone and that taking your own life is not the only option when you feel overwhelmed.

“Mental health is a current conversation, suicide less so, but we want to approach it softly, keep people informed about the support that is available and bring them together.”

As Fulham fans, Razzak and Beder would enjoy many Saturday afternoons at Craven Cottage, so it is symbolic that today’s match takes place at the club’s training base.

“I took Beder to ‘Christmas at the Cottage’ in December 2010,” Razzak explains. “We went into the Cottage to meet a number of Fulham players at the time – including Brede Hangeland, Aaron Hughes, Moussa Dembele, Dickson Etuhu, Zoltan Gera and Simon Davies.

“It was really memorable for a number of reasons, but especially because we took a photo together with Brede Hangeland, who was Beder’s favourite player.

“Fulham have been unbelievably supportive of the charity.”

That support extends to the use of their facilities today to kick-off the Beder FC campaign.

A huge squad of players will be split into Team Mental Health Matters versus Team Every Life Matters, with each player donating to the cause.

Fulham have provided officials, kits and a signed first-team shirt for auction.

The money raised will be split between Beder and Fulham Foundation.

After today’s curtain-raiser, the team will take to the road.

The first official match will be on March 21 against Charterhouse School in Godalming, which was where schoolboy football first originated in the 1840s.

The school’s old-boys team, Old Carthusians, went on to win the FA Cup in 1881.

“Initially we’re going to play against secondary schools in and around London as that’s a chance to raise awareness outside of the classroom and on the pitch,” Razzak adds. “We are engaging with schools on a different level.

“It’s a chance to raise awareness among those who play, the parents who watch and the other pupils and teachers who come along as spectators to cheer on their school.

“On the back of our shirts, rather than player names, we’ll have mental health and suicide messaging such as #mentalhealthmatters, #everylifematters, #itsoknottobeok and #youarenotalone.”

Former Watford and Burton Albion striker Marvin Sordell has become an ambassador of the club and the hope is that Beder FC can broaden its reach over time.

“People can sign up if they have an interest in playing for us or want to arrange a fixture with Beder FC,” Razzak continues. “I want a model where we can take the club around the country and play games in the right spirit while raising awareness around mental health and suicide prevention.”

Launching the charity and the football club has been hard work, but worthwhile.

Razzak still gets to attend Fulham matches and has persuaded his younger sister Maryam to get a season-ticket alongside him.

But the pain of losing a brother is still very raw, almost three years on.

“We’re forever processing it – it’s the worst thing in the world,” Razzak admits. “Only this week after playing football I was on my way home, flicking through my phone on the tube, and just came across some photos of my brother. I ended up just crying.

“It’s forever a process, but we believe some good can come of this.”

You can learn more about joining Beder FC and donate to their charitable causes at www.beder.org.uk