After the final game of the 2025/26 Premier League season, Welsh trio Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon and Daniel James made a surprise visit at one of the Leeds United Foundation's Ups and Downs Café sessions at Thorp Arch.

The Ups and Downs Café is delivered every Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm and is funded by the Premier League Players' Fund, providing a safe and welcoming space where people can come together, socialise and support their mental wellbeing.

On the day, the first teamers headed down to the indoor pitch to surprise attendees with scarves, who had already started warming up for their penalty shootout competition.

Upon arrival, the players introduced themselves to everyone and distributed club merchandise, before getting involved with the shootout and chatting with participants.

Following the activities, everyone took a seat and had an important conversation about resilience and mental wellbeing in football, with each player discussing their own personal journeys.

After the session, first team winger James said: "It's so important for these sorts of groups to exist, have that time to speak to each other, share their stories.

"Being a footballer is the best job in the world but it has its ups and downs. To show they feel and show our experiences, I think that it's important to share that. I think it's great that the PFA fund this for people."

One participant added: "It's just something different, and it kind of sort of humanises the players. They come over as you would want a Leeds United player to be.

"I enjoy the company of other supporters and it just makes me extremely proud to support the club."

The Ups & Downs Café continues to play a vital role in supporting people across the community, offering a space where individuals can talk, connect and take steps towards improved wellbeing. To learn more about the sessions, and how you can get involved, please email [email protected].