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The Duke of Cambridge was pivotal in raising awareness of mental health conditions last year after he launched the Heads Up scheme to get people in football talking about the subject. He has long been an advocate of mental health awareness and this year he is set to continue his support after he announced earlier this month the FA Cup final will be renamed after his campaign. The Duke of Cambridge is hugely significant within the game after becoming the Football Association’s president.

But it wasn’t the first time William used his influence to ensure the subject was discussed by fans as last year he narrated a video that was played at FA Cup games, urging viewers to look after their mental health.

The video coincided with a delayed kick-off of all matches in the competition by one minute, which prompted fans to take a moment to consider their well-being.

It was a collaboration between Public Health England’s (PHE) Every Mind Matters and the Football Association and Heads Together’s Heads Up campaign and featured national team stars Jesse Lingard, Harry Maguire and Jordan Pickford.

And while speaking on the film, William revealed: “In life, as in football, we all go through highs and lows.

“We can all sometimes feel anxious or stressed. At moments even the little things can seem a struggle. But we can all start to change things.

“Every Mind Matters and Heads Up will show you the simple steps you can take to look after your mental health – helping to boost your mood, improve your sleep and feel ready for life’s ups and downs.”

Other stars who also joined the campaign in 2019 included Tottenham Hotspurs’ players Dele Alli and Son Heung-min.

The Heads Together initiative began in 2016 as part of a royal collaboration project between William and Kate, and Harry and Meghan Markle.

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More recently, Prince William opened up again about mental health by talking to a number of Arsenal footballers about the subject after announcing the cup’s new name.

The final is currently scheduled to take place on August 1, and will be called the Heads Up FA Cup.

During his chat with the Arsenal players, which included the club’s head coach Mikel Arteta, Hector Bellerin, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and academy manager Per Mertesacker, William talked about the fears he had surrounding people’s mental health as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking ahead of football’s return earlier this month, he said: “I’m really pleased that you guys are all coming back to football soon.

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“And, as you can see behind me, I’ve got the FA Cup, it’s going to be named the Heads Up FA Cup – which is great news.

“So we’re going to really use the final as a moment to promote good, positive mental health for everyone.”

The FA Cup returns this weekend at the quarter-final stage, with teams such as Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City all vying for a position in the final.

Previous favourites and newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool were knocked out by Frank Lampard’s Chelsea in the previous round.

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