Former Wrexham AFC academy player Hari Roberts has called for football clubs to provide better mental health support for young players who are released. Roberts, who was let go by the club at 18, described the experience as a 'big shock to the system' and a difficult period after his childhood dream ended.

He joined Wrexham's academy at 14 and was told in May 2025 he would not be offered a professional deal. "Hearing at the age of 18 that I would not get a deal with Wrexham AFC was a 'big shock to the system'," Roberts said. Football had been his main goal since he was a child, and he struggled to find another job or club afterwards.

How running and support aided his recovery

Roberts credits running, alongside support from his family, GP and a psychologist, with helping him rebuild. He recently completed the Sydney marathon in Australia, an experience he called 'unforgettable', and said completing the London Marathon symbolised 'resilience, recovery, and finding myself again'. He ran the Sydney event while raising money for the charity Sport in Mind and is now in a better place. Roberts, who is from Pwllheli and represented Wales at youth level, has also applied to run the Tokyo marathon with his brother next year.

His advocacy for better player transition support

Roberts believes that while clubs offer some support, it is not enough to help players deal with the significant change. He told reporters Dros Frecwast programme he wanted to use his experience to raise awareness about mental health and help others who may be struggling silently. He said many young players take not making it as professionals in a very bad way, and with only a small percentage securing contracts, more structured help is needed to cope with the disappointment.

Wrexham AFC’s ongoing player care commitment

In response, Wrexham AFC stated their care for players does not end when they leave the club. Their player care officer remains in touch with all released players for three years. The club said they pride themselves on creating an academy culture centred on development, accountability, and care, knowing not every player will make the step into professional football. They work to build a platform for players to learn and develop both on and off the pitch, focusing on creating good people as well as good footballers.

This focus on long-term player welfare comes as the first team sits 14th in the Championship with 10 points from eight games. Their recent form reads two wins, two draws and one defeat from the last five, a sequence you can review on our fixtures page. The squad prepares for a trip to face 22nd-placed Derby on 10 October, with the full squad list available as they look to build on a 2-1 win over Southampton.