A Liverpool supporter has admitted Tom Davies and Everton in the Community 'saved his life from suicide' after building a relationship with the Blues' midfielder over lockdown.
Ryan Spencer, 25, struggled with mental health issues and anxiety and contemplated ending his life before being helped by Everton.
He was eventually introduced to academy product Davies and the pair have kept in regular contact over Zoom over the last year to discuss everything from football to Netflix and even creating their own television show.
Ryan told the Mirror : “This has been a blessing for me. I feel very fortunate for the opportunities I’ve been given by Everton in the Community. They have saved my life from suicide.”
As a teenager, Spencer had trials with Liverpool and Tranmere Rovers and also represented Marine before he began struggling at the age of 17 and stopped playing.
Eventually his psychiatrist referred him to the Everton in the Community 'Imagine Your Goals' programme which helps support young people with mental health issues through sport.
He says: “I’m a big football fan and I’ve been involved in it all my life, but I stopped playing it due to my mental health.
"I got pushed one day to go along and I haven’t looked back. I can’t thank Everton any more for what they’ve done for me.
“I’m in a better place. Things get very dark in my mind, but it’s crazy to see how far I’ve come. I’m finally learning to love myself again.
"Meeting people like Tom gives you momentum to do things, something to get up for, and not lay in bed for two weeks, feeling depressed.”
Davies, 22, added: “I love it. To see Ryan the first time we met and to see how much he has come on is amazing.
“Its the stuff that he has been through and he has managed to deal with. His life has been tough and now he is like a new person.
"I get on so well with him and I consider him a friend myself. I just love to see him, he is a great lad.
"It means the world to me to meet people like Ryan as there are so many out there who just need a bit of support.
"He has come on leaps and bounds and I am just made up to be part of it.”
