The day included the Positive Pilgrims playing a match against Bolton’s Imagine Your Goals team and watching Bolton v Everton in the Barclays Premier League.

Positive Pilgrims has been funded for three years by Comic Relief and aims to improve social inclusion and wellbeing for people with mental health difficulties, as well as tackling discrimination and stigma.

All participants that take part in the weekly Positive Pilgrims sessions were invited to attend this social experience, whether they regularly participate in football activities or not.

The Positive Pilgrims met at The Jakemans Stadium at 7.45am and travelled to Bolton. Following a short meal break, the Positive Pilgrims met their opposition (Bolton’s Imagine Your Goals) at the Bolton Arena, which is opposite the Reebok Stadium.

In wet and windy conditions on a 3G pitch, Imagine Your Goals were still fresh and inspired from their trip to Manchester United the previous week and took an early two-goal lead. The Positive Pilgrims maintained morale and started to create chances, although they could not quite get the finishing touch, leaving the score at half time 2-0 to Imagine Your Goals.

The second half saw Positive Pilgrims play well and keep possession but they could still not quite find the target, even with a change of formation. As such, although Imagine Your Goals rarely threatened the Positive Pilgrims goal, no goals were scored, meaning Imagine Your Goals from Bolton secured a victory over Boston’s Positive Pilgrims.

Regardless of the score, the game was played in good spirits by both teams and the FA’s Respect campaign and code of conduct were evidenced by all involved.

Following the match, both groups made their way to the Reebok Stadium for the Premier League clash between Bolton and Everton, where the groups received complimentary tickets. The game finished 2-0 to Everton.

Boston United’s Positive Pilgrims would like to thank the staff from Bolton Wanderers Community Trust for the kind hospitality and for our invitation to promote mental health through the power of football.

For more information on this project, please call Richard Houghton at United in the Community on (01205) 364406.