Norwich City Under-18s player Solomon Alidor-Hamilton has become a Justin Fashanu Mental Health Ambassador in partnership with the Justin Fashanu Foundation.
The U18s player joins Under-23s goalkeeper Jon McCracken and winger Tony Springett, replacing Caleb Richards after he joined Kidderminster Harriers in January.
Much like his U23s counter-parts, Alidor-Hamilton will work closely with the Academy’s player care department as a middle-man for teammates to go to and discuss any issues that may arise.
The roles first emerged back in July 2020, when it was announced that the title would be made in tribute to former Norwich City player and football’s first openly gay footballer, Justin Fashanu. His niece, Amal Fashanu, runs the foundation in his name to raise awareness on mental health, homophobia and racism issues in the sport.
Speaking on taking on the role, Alidor-Hamilton said: “The things that have happened to me personally this season drove me to make this decision. I think it’s a good thing to help others with their mental health issues coming from a place where I’ve gone through it.
“My experience can help people that are going through the hard times, I think I can help make them feel alright and be their support.
“When you have a positive mindset, you can get a good performance out of yourself. Making sure your mental health is on track can help out there on the pitch as well.”
Discussing the support he’s receiving in his new role from the pre-existing ambassadors and player care, Alidor-Hamilton spoke highly of their help in getting him started in his new role.
“From their experience, being older than me as well, I can talk to them and they can help me so I can be strong in that role. Having their support in this role is very good.
“Clive [Cook, head of player care] said he’ll put me in some courses to help with being a good mental health ambassador, so it’ll be good for me to learn off that and move forward with this.”
