Aaron Ramsdale and Sean Neave share stories at Foundation’s Football Talks session

Newcastle United’s Aaron Ramsdale and Sean Neave have been sharing stories with Newcastle United Foundation participants during a session designed to get community members talking.

The first-team goalkeeper and Academy graduate sat down to join a Football Talks session – a programme delivered by the Club’s official charity arm encouraging participants to connect through their shared passion for the Magpies.

The pair spoke openly about progressing through development pathways, adapting to new environments and handling the pressures of elite sport, drawing on their experiences across youth and senior level.

Football Talks brings together participants from the Foundation’s Walking Football provision and aims to reduce social isolation among older generations. More than 530 people from across the North East are currently engaged in health and wellbeing programmes delivered by the Foundation and funded by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association Players’ Fund.

As a group, participants chatted with Ramsdale and Neave about all things black and white over a cup of tea before taking pictures with the Magpies duo.

During the session, Ramsdale reflected on the unique experience of playing at St. James’ Park, including the incredible atmosphere and the psychological impact it can have on visiting teams. He also discussed the importance of mentality and unity within Newcastle United’s goalkeeping group.

“This is probably one of the best groups I’ve been in in terms of personalities and how we all work together,” Ramsdale said.

“You sign up for this gig knowing there’s only one position, but you are genuinely happy for whoever plays because if the goalkeeper does well, then that means the team normally wins.”

Both players also shared personal stories about their childhood heroes, with Neave naming Alan Shearer as his idol, while Ramsdale spoke fondly about former Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen, who became both a role model and mentor during his youth career.

Discussing his transition into the first-team environment, Neave said: “Now I feel like I’m fitting in really well. Last season when I first came up, I was really nervous before any session, but now I’ve got used to it and everyone has made me feel very welcome.”

Ramsdale praised his teammate, adding: “I didn’t even realise he was 18 – I thought he was a lot older.”

The Foundation delivers free sessions designed to improve physical and mental wellness for people of all ages under the Be A Game Changer banner, including Football Talks, Walking Football, health checks, 12-week personal development programmes and more.

Football Talks was made possible by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association Players’ Fund.
Administered through the Premier League Foundation, the funding helps football clubs to tackle inequality and respond to local challenges, supporting people and their communities to be more inclusive.

Be A Game Changer encourages fans to openly discuss mental health and access support through the Foundation’s programmes and referrals to mental health services.

Newcastle United Foundation’s Be A Game Changer campaign is also funded by Newcastle City Council.
For support available from the Foundation, visit nufoundation.org.uk or email foundation.health@nufc.co.uk

For more information about the Newcastle United Foundation and programmes near you, follow Newcastle United Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and X for regular news and updates.