Amateur football manager is using the power of the beautiful game to raise awareness about mental health

Steven King, who manages St Francis' Football Club, has organised a tournament to publicise Morton in the Community's new Team Talk initiative, which helps men talk about their feelings.

Morton fan Steven says he thinks it's important to get the message across to young men in particular that they can talk about what is troubling them.

He said: "The initial thing was that pre-season is a bit dull so we thought we'd add a wee bit of spice to that.

"I'm a Morton supporter and I thought it would be good to give team Team Talk a bit of exposure.

"I'm big on mental health and I think this is a brilliant project.

"I work in the Good Shepherd Centre in Bishopton and work with young people who are going through a rough time.

"I contacted Brian McLaughlin at Morton in the Community and asked him if it was ok to use 'Team Talk' on our trophy.

"He agreed and also said that a representative from Morton in the Community would come along on the final day of the tournament at Parklea at 10am on August 3.

The four teams taking part are Port Athletic, Belvidere FC, and Bishopton FC.

Steven is from Port Glasgow and his team currently play at Battery Park.

He says there is a real need for initiatives like Team Talk and believes such projects can save lives.

He told the Tele: "I just think too many younger boys are struggling and the suicide rate in Inverclyde is horrific.

"It's great that Morton as a club is getting on top of that and they are offering somewhere to go for boys if something is getting on top of them.

"So many boys feel they can't talk and with this coming from my club, it's given me a bit of pride in it."

St Francis will play Belvidere on July 27 in Glasgow at 10am, St Francis' will face Port Athletic on July 31 in Gourock Park at 7pm and all four will play side by side at Parklea on August 3.

* Team Talk runs at Cappielow every Monday from 7pm for males 16 and older. For more information visit http://mortoncommunity.net/teamtalk-2/