Beat the January blues: Maidenhead United's 'bring-a-friend-for-free' offer

Liam Dulson and Matt Robinson. Credit: MUFC

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As part of the club’s ongoing partnership with CALM, Maidenhead United are giving supporters the chance to ‘bring a friend for free’ to their home game with Enfield Town on Saturday, January 17.

The club understands that January can be a difficult time of year for many reasons, financial or otherwise, and they’re keen for people to enjoy each other’s company while hopefully being entertained by the Magpies on the pitch.

United have been in good form of late, moving back into play-off contention with Saturday’s impressive away win over Horsham. They have won five of their last seven matches under interim management duo Ryan Peters and Aaron O’Brien.

“As part of our ongoing work and partnership with CALM - Campaign Against Living Miserably - we understand that January can be a difficult time of year for many reasons and no one should be alone during these challenging times,” said Sian Lancaster, commercial director at Maidenhead United.

“So, whether it's a friend, relative, neighbour or colleague bring them down for an afternoon of football with us here at York Road.”

The offer is available to both home and away supporters until midnight on Friday, January 16. Home supporters will also be entered into a prize draw to win a 2025/26 Second Half Membership, entitling them to entry to all this season’s remaining home fixtures.

Home supporters will be entered into a prize draw to win a 2025/26 Second Half Membership, entitling you to entry to all this season's remaining home fixtures.

Gold and Silver members will need to enter their membership number to redeem the offer (email instructions should have been circulated).

CLICK HERE TO REDEEM NOW

With Christmas spending having left a major hole in many people’s finances, and January’s paycheck still a week or so away, this can prove a financially challenging month for many people. Research from YouGov reveals that on average, people spend much more during January than a typical month and often receive their December salary before Christmas, meaning a long wait for many to see their balance topped up.

The temptation to spend on Christmas gifts or on nights out over the festive and new year period can lead to a financial pinch that brings on the January blues. And while eight out of 10 people experience these financial pressures, only 25 per cent of people speak about how they’re feeling. January is also a month of dark mornings and dark evenings, while many more people isolate themselves from friends and family – often in a bid to save some money.

All of this has a profound impact on mental health and Maidenhead and CALM are putting on this initiative to try and bring friends and family together socially in a cost-effective way.

CALM have a multitude of resources available to help with just the click of a button.

Tackling loneliness

How to feel less alone

CALM is also keen to reassure people they are not alone when it comes to money worries, and reaching out for help and some support could bring some light when people are trying to feel their way through a dark tunnel.

Luis Mackness, Partner Manager for CALM Clubs said: "Winter can be tough for all sorts of reasons. We know at CALM that if you’re able to brave the weather, getting outside, doing things that make you feel good and being connected can all be key to feeling much better.

"Days like this give more people the opportunity to do all of this. We’re delighted the club can offer this opportunity to their brilliant fans but also to those supporting Enfield Town too.

"Football is great at uniting people and Maidenhead are making sure that as many people as possible are together on the 17th and hopefully they’ll go away knowing that CALM is always there for them too.”