Connor Roberts: How Craig Bellamy helped my mental health struggle

Despite having helped his club The New Saints become Welsh champions for a record 17th time, a Wales call was the last thing on his mind in the Cymru Premier, especially while lying down in a tattoo parlour going under the needle.

“I was on the bed at the time trying not to be in pain,” he recalled.

“Then the phone was ringing in my pocket. Craig said ‘I want to invite you in, you’re doing extremely well in Europe and someone I’ve kept an eye on’.”

Roberts retired from the professional game due to mental health issues – a topic that former Liverpool, Manchester City and Cardiff City striker Bellamy has openly spoken about.

Bellamy revealed in 2020 he had been diagnosed with depression, a condition he had suffered since his playing career.

“Craig helped me through my struggles,” Roberts said.

“He invited me into every sort of team meeting, even ones that senior lads weren’t invited to, we had a lot of young players during that camp.

“He wanted me to look at it from a player and a coach perspective, asking my thoughts, or we shared ideas.

“It was fantastic and I really utilised that camp to dive into the detail of how he wants to play, and how he sees a national team performing within an elite level.

“The main thing for me was that I managed to do okay and come away with some pride.

“I wish I was in a better frame of mind to really appreciate that, don’t get me wrong, I’m never one to give myself too much credit.”