By Henry Green
Notts County forward Cedwyn Scott has taken a leave of absence to focus on getting support for his mental health.
Scott joined the club from Gateshead in 2022 impressed alongside former striker Macaulay Langstaff.
He scored 15 goals for the side as the 25-year-old helped County win promotion back to the football league after a four year absence.
A statement from Scott, released by the club on Friday (October 18) read: “This past year has been a difficult one, both from a personal and professional perspective.
“I have undertaken therapy, which has helped, but I’ve reached a point where I feel I need to take more concerted steps to overcome the difficulties I’m facing.
“I look forward to returning to the club as soon as I can – and, while I would appreciate my privacy being respected at this time, in the future I intend to openly discuss the challenges I’ve faced in the hope that this will benefit others in similar situations.
“The support I’ve received from the club, my family and friends has been fantastic and I would like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone else who is struggling to please seek the help they need.”
Scott, who started his career at Dundee, has started just two games this season.
He suffered a knee injury at the start of last season that left him sidelined until April as he featured just nine times.
Notts County Head Coach Stuart Maynard spoke to the media on Friday, shortly after the statement had been released.
Speaking as part of a press conference ahead of the League Two home tie with Wimbledon on Saturday, Maynard said: “He’s been struggling for a while Ceds [Cedwyn], he’s had a very difficult time.
“Even if you go back to last season with his injury and being out for most of the season, and footballers – they want to play, as it’s almost a release in the sense of playing week in week out in front of the fans,” he added.
“The football club support him and back him and that’s the key thing.
“Huge credit to himself to come out and talk about it because when you do come out and talk about it it can help.”
Anyone struggling with their mental health in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire can access mental health services including Talking Therapies and a 24 hour mental health crisis line. These services are free and do not require a referral.
More information is available here. Anyone struggling with their mental health, can also call Samaritans 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 116 123.