Current Player Thread Will Vaulks

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4.Will Vaulks

Position: Midfielder
Nationality: Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
Departed: DATE
Previous Clubs: Tranmere Rovers, Falkirk, Rotherham United, Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday
 
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Just been announced on the shortlist for the FIFPRO Player Voice Award for his work on suicide prevention and mental health awareness:

www.oufc.co.uk

Will Vaulks Nominated for Prestigious FIFPRO Player Voice Award | Oxford United Football Club

Oxford United midfielder Will Vaulks has been nominated for the FIFPRO Player Voice Award, a global honour recognising professional footballers who use their platform to inspire change. Vaulks’ nomination has been received due to his exceptional work addressing suicide prevention and mental...
www.oufc.co.uk www.oufc.co.uk

A great honour for a top guy, very proud he is a Yellow.
 
I haven't been on here much lately to work on my own mental health issues. Having looked back on today (and quickly swerving the Gary Rowett thread!!), it is wonderful news to hear about Will Vaulks getting a much deserved award. Too many times people throw out the "no sentiment in football" line. But at Oxford we see the exact opposite. Will is the latest in many players and staff who go above and beyond their "job" as footballers and give so much back to the community. The vast majority of this often goes unreported and unheard, but to those that matter it makes such a huge difference.

Proud of Will, Ryan and everyone else at our wonderful club.

And remember that Boys Get Sad Too, but it's so important to talk and be there for each other.
 
Well deserved for a top top guy. Even in today’s world there is a stigma around men’s mental health and a reluctance for men to speak up if they are struggling.
If you have a family member or a mate that is quieter than normal, not seeming themselves, just check in and ask how they are getting on. I don’t see one of my closest friends as often as we would like due to the pressures of life but we will always do a weekly check in, whether that is a call or a text, to make sure each other is doing ok.

Keep up the good work Will.
 
Scotchegg said:
I haven't been on here much lately to work on my own mental health issues. Having looked back on today (and quickly swerving the Gary Rowett thread!!), it is wonderful news to hear about Will Vaulks getting a much deserved award. Too many times people throw out the "no sentiment in football" line. But at Oxford we see the exact opposite. Will is the latest in many players and staff who go above and beyond their "job" as footballers and give so much back to the community. The vast majority of this often goes unreported and unheard, but to those that matter it makes such a huge difference.

Proud of Will, Ryan and everyone else at our wonderful club.

And remember that Boys Get Sad Too, but it's so important to talk and be there for each other.
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Look after yourself and get well soon mate.
 
Scotchegg said:
I haven't been on here much lately to work on my own mental health issues. Having looked back on today (and quickly swerving the Gary Rowett thread!!), it is wonderful news to hear about Will Vaulks getting a much deserved award. Too many times people throw out the "no sentiment in football" line. But at Oxford we see the exact opposite. Will is the latest in many players and staff who go above and beyond their "job" as footballers and give so much back to the community. The vast majority of this often goes unreported and unheard, but to those that matter it makes such a huge difference.

Proud of Will, Ryan and everyone else at our wonderful club.

And remember that Boys Get Sad Too, but it's so important to talk and be there for each other.
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I back all of that. Look after yourself @Scotchegg . You are not alone buddy. I know you have mates of your own but if you ever want a quick beer and a chat I'm around (if only to talk about the greatness of Des).
 
Scotchegg said:
I haven't been on here much lately to work on my own mental health issues. Having looked back on today (and quickly swerving the Gary Rowett thread!!), it is wonderful news to hear about Will Vaulks getting a much deserved award. Too many times people throw out the "no sentiment in football" line. But at Oxford we see the exact opposite. Will is the latest in many players and staff who go above and beyond their "job" as footballers and give so much back to the community. The vast majority of this often goes unreported and unheard, but to those that matter it makes such a huge difference.

Proud of Will, Ryan and everyone else at our wonderful club.

And remember that Boys Get Sad Too, but it's so important to talk and be there for each other.
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Weirdly, I’d noticed/thought you hadn’t been on here as much lately and was going to reach out to you to see if everything was ok, so hope you’re managing your issues.
 
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He comes across so well, and as the shared clip shows he's been doing charitable work all his career.

I hope the club can give him the award on the pitch again before Saturday's game, and hope the fans can give him a huge cheer - it is such a significant award, absolutely brilliant.

I hope anyone who isn't feeling great, can reach out and ask for help. There are some really good people on this forum, there is always someone that will listen. I was feeling pretty c**p 7 years ago, I gave up alcohol and its the best thing I ever did. Now what I did isn't for everyone, and it's not the solution for everyone (particularly if they are non drinkers anyway!) but there always is a solution.
 
Stranger said:
What he said
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Much of the time we moan about players because of what they are not. Can't tackle, too slow, can't shoot etc.
Most of us would be round to HR in an instant if we were publically criticised at work in the same way as professional footballers and staff. It must be a profession with a huge amount of stress.
So every credit to OUFC for the lead it takes in Mental Health, and to the players who support that. It is easy to forget that the players are also people, with human strengths and weaknesses.
Perhaps some of those who criticise Will Vaulks and his colleagues note this award, the good work that he and others do, and show a bit more understanding.
Perhaps a bit more support and a bit less lazy criticism will help their mental health. Now and in the future.
 
I listened to a recent interview with a footballer (I can't remember which one) and he was asked what would you like to do when you retire from the game? Without missing a beat he replied:

'I'd like to visit the fan who constantly shouts abuse at me every game at his work and tell him how s**t he is at his job.....all.....day......Let's see how he gets on.'

Great response!
 
Raymond O'Leary said:
So every credit to OUFC for the lead it takes in Mental Health, and to the players who support that. It is easy to forget that the players are also people, with human strengths and weaknesses.
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Will Lankshear makes that very point on his video today (the Spurs update on his loan). Definitely need to back the players as individuals when we see them play and make a point of encouraging them. Yes, they are very well rewarded but it is a stressful and pressured job they do.
 
Cannot believe he's starting for us in games of this importance, especially when he cannot play with his teammates.

He's an absolutely dire footballer at this stage of his career.
 
90syeIlow said:
Cannot believe he's starting for us in games of this importance, especially when he cannot play with his teammates.

He's an absolutely dire footballer at this stage of his career.
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Who else have we got ,what do the recruitment team do ,we have 3 right backs ,3 left backs ,4 CBs ,and the most important part of every team in the championship is the midfield we are completely outplayed every week and we are going to start next season with Cam and mcdonnell to small ,not fast enough not physical enough and wait for the surprise when we are below mid table ,an absolute disaster of a recruitment team ,just shocking
 
At the start of last season when Vaulks fist signed, he looked like a huge step up in terms of quality and nous. I remember watching him against Norwich and being hugely impressed by the jump in quality from what we were used to in League One. Unfortunately he has regressed to the point where he often looks like one of our weakest players every time he plays. I wonder if it's due to a lack of confidence, impact of injuries, or his legs starting to go (to use a very tired football cliché). He's still good to have around the squad, but Konak and McDonnell both offer more than him currently and should be ahead of him in the depth chart, imo.
 
Common Villager said:
At the start of last season when Vaulks fist signed, he looked like a huge step up in terms of quality and nous. I remember watching him against Norwich and being hugely impressed by the jump in quality from what we were used to in League One. Unfortunately he has regressed to the point where he often looks like one of our weakest players every time he plays. I wonder if it's due to a lack of confidence, impact of injuries, or his legs starting to go (to use a very tired football cliché). He's still good to have around the squad, but Konak and McDonnell both offer more than him currently and should be ahead of him in the depth chart, imo.
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Let the young ‘uns start and when their young exuberance and energy have worn out the opposition, bring Vaulks on with his experience to see out the game. 😁
 
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