Libby Emmerson might not have an official job title at Peterhead, but the Back Onside CEO is very much a part of the club.
Through her work with the mental health charity, which she founded in 2018, she has developed relationships with football clubs across Scotland.
Elgin City were the latest club to join forces with Back Onside this week, while Premiership sides Ross County and Hibernian promoted their support for the charity before their game last night.
But one of the strongest bonds exists with Peterhead, where Emmerson holds a unique position.
Gary Fraser, the perfect ambassador
Former Peterhead midfielder Gary Fraser played a key role in the partnership blossoming.
The Blue Toon fundraised for him to have a significant knee operation done privately and manager Jim McInally got in touch with Back Onside to help Fraser through his rehabilitation.
Fraser has since become one of the charity’s most prominent ambassadors, delivering talks at schools, clubs and prisons.
He spoke last year about how working for Back Onside had given him focus again, after his fitness challenges and the loss of his grandfather.
“I would go to training with Gary and it opened the door for other boys to come to me,” said Emmerson. “We have a great relationship with them now and I get to as many games as possible.
“I try to support Jim as well, if he has any worries about boys that may need an arm round them. It’s not saying they have issues or concerns, but being there to stop those issues happening.
“It’s about giving them a safe space to talk, knowing it’s not going to go back to anybody.”
Very proud of you Gary. @pfcofficial https://t.co/LaUlGFb6A2
— Back Onside (@BackOnside) November 24, 2021
Fraser’s energetic nature meant Emmerson’s presence at Peterhead games was always announced; any passing person was introduced to her and quickly, Emmerson became part of the football club.
She concedes her knowledge of Peterhead prior to her involvement with them was minimal – “people thought I was mad driving three hours up the road” – but Saturdays spent with the Blue Toon now are a key part of her schedule.
McInally has had Emmerson in the dressing room at games and the players are aware of the support she provides, with defender Jason Brown stating recently she had been in touch during his time out of team with concussion.
An ally to the manager
Having Emmerson as a visible part of the club provides McInally and Peterhead with a valuable asset.
“We have her at most games so the boys have got to know her,” said McInally. “They know they can lift the phone to her any time.
“She’s never been far away from players with long-term injuries and always sends us a wee message if she’s not able to make a game.
“She’s been in the dugout and the changing room recently and she’s always welcome there. Hopefully she is seen as part of the club and remains that way.”
The Peterhead manager sees it as a positive that players can have conversations with Emmerson without him needing to know – if it means they feel more comfortable about opening up.
“She has dealings with the players that I don’t know about, because there’s things players might not want me to know,” said McInally.
“That’s reassuring, knowing that she’s there and if they have any issues they can go to her. If they’re embarrassed about telling me, then I don’t need to know, because Libby is there.
“It’s an initiative we’ve embraced and it makes things a wee bit more professional. It’s a big thing in the modern world and hopefully we’re addressing it.”
‘They’ve helped me get back on track’
Andy McCarthy credits Emmerson and Back Onside for helping get his life back on track.
Peterhead midfielder McCarthy has struggled previously with a gambling addiction and through the help of the charity, including its counsellor Jane Tattersall, feels in a healthier place.
“I’ve had problems in the past that people know about,” said McCarthy. “She got me speaking to a counsellor and it helped me massively.
“They’ve helped me get back on track and I find it easy to speak about now, because I’m now in a good place in my life.
“Libby is the hardest-working woman I’ve seen – she takes calls when she probably should be sleeping.
Calls at all hours
“She will speak to me most days.
“It’s not just me going to her for advice. She’s a friend to most of the boys and a massive part of the club.”
McCarthy only sees the organisation getting bigger, which if it comes to pass means more footballers feeling happy in communicating any problems they have.
“It’s something I’ve seen more in the last few years, that players aren’t afraid to say ‘I’ve had problems’,” added McCarthy. “I think you’ll see more of it as the less people struggling, the better.
“I would agree that there is a stereotype (footballers not opening up). But people are humans off the pitch and do have problems.
“Issues off the pitch affect you on it and speaking takes a weight off your shoulders. I would tell my team-mates I’m there for them if they need me.
“I’m grateful I’ve got my life back on track and I’m forever grateful to the gaffer and Libby for that.”
Pandemic saw rise in calls to charity
Each person who opens up about their mental health struggles chips away at the long-standing stigma, but there is still so much ground to make up.
Emmerson has told her own story publicly, but admits it is a difficult subject for people to broach willingly, particularly if they feel they are sharing a weakness with the outside world.
In the aftermath of the pandemic calls to Back Onside have increased markedly and, while Emmerson and her small team doing their best to help, greater resources are needed in the provision of mental health care.
“This year has been the toughest and busiest,” she added. “The kick-back from Covid has made it busier.
“People say the stigma is changing, but it’s still there. That has an impact when we’re trying to fundraise, as people that are involved are automatically assumed to have mental health issues.
“It has a big impact when we tell people’s stories and we would never ask people to do that. They have to feel comfortable in coming forward.
“More people being open and honest about it will help. I know how hard it is – it took me three years and I’m ashamed of what I nearly did.
“The more people talk, the more people realise everyone struggles at some point. It lets people see everyone is human.”
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