Football match in memory of Solihull man to raise money for mental health charities - The Solihull Observer

Football match in memory of Solihull man to raise money for mental health charities

Solihull Editorial 18th Apr, 2018 Updated: 18th Apr, 2018   0

A CHARITY football match will be played in honour of a Solihull man who took his own life ten years ago.

The family and friends of Peter Troop have arranged a commemorative match to raise money for two mental health charities.

Mr Troop, a father of one, committed suicide at his home in Sherbourne aged 36.

Although the true motive of his death remains unclear, his lifelong friends – Matt Sparling, Richard McKay and Mickey Edmonds – want to honour his memory by fundraising for national mental health charities Mind and the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).




Peter’s brother, Alex, thought it was particularly appropriate at a time when mental health issues and suicide – particularly among young men – have become worryingly prevalent.

Mr Troop was a well-known figure and a coveted sportsman who lived in the borough for most of his life.


He represented the borough in athletics, played for the cup-winning Shirley Grasshoppers football team and spent many years with the Birmingham Exiles rugby team.

Mr Sparling said: “We really want to remember Pete, but we also want to recognise the circumstances that led to his passing, a significant issue around mental health and men’s responses to mental health issues.

“I do believe mental health awareness in men is getting better, but is still not good enough.

“He was seemingly a rock, there for everybody, would do anything for anybody especially his family and friends.

“Pete’s greatest quality was also his biggest weakness – he put everyone else first and put himself last, for this reason he didn’t get the support he deserved or needed.”

His friends say Peter was an IT consultant – a job which he enjoyed.

But they also said it was a high pressure role and this didn’t suit him so well.

Peter told his friends he wanted to be a teacher just before he passed away – a job they thought would have suited him.

Mr Sparling said: “I know Pete felt pressured to do the right thing, his moral compass was very evident and this meant he fought a lot of demons which did not help his mental health.

“There are many friends who have a closeness to Pete, and I know Richard, Caroline and Mickey were all deeply impacted on that day ten years ago.”

His friends organised the tribute match for Saturday, April 21 – 4pm kick off.

Following the match there will be an auction and a raffle to raise funds for the campaign.

All members of the community are welcome to play and give donations while there will be a £2 contribution to spectate.

The game will take place at the Solihull Municipal Club on Brick Kiln Lane.

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