Former Everton forward Michael Branch has launched a Liverpool-based running club, with the aim of boosting participants’ physical and mental health.

The club, called Social Striders, is welcome to all, and those attending meet up for the five-kilometre run at 8am every Sunday outside the Britannia Inn, alongside the Otterspool promenade.  

Branch, who made 42 appearances for the Blues, spoke to evertonfc.com about his delight at the project's success so far, while revealing that last month, runners were joined by another former Everton player.

“All abilities are welcome – even if you’re going to walk it,” said Branch. “It’s every Sunday and I’m always there running. It’s free and all we ask you to give up is your lie-in!

“We’re getting some good numbers now and it’s exactly what I wanted it to be, with people staying behind, chatting, and getting friendships through it.

“Pat Van Den Hauwe came the other week and me and Pat ran and walked it together. He just phoned me up and said: ‘Are you doing your run? I want to start getting fit, but I’m not very fit at the minute! Can I come down?’ So, he was there with his wife, and it was great to see them.”

Branch is well aware of the positive impact exercise has on his own mental wellbeing, and this knowledge fuelled the idea behind Social Striders, which was launched by the Everton Academy graduate in August of this year.

“I think it’s been documented that I struggle with my mental health,” Branch acknowledged. “One thing that I know improves mine is running. I know I have to do that to keep my head right, so I thought I’ll be running, anyway, and there must be people out there who feel the same, or want to go for a run but don’t want to go by themselves.

“I wasn’t sure if anyone would come, but then I thought, what if one person comes and they just need to talk that day?

“It is mainly for the mental health side of things – more so than the physical, even though that will be helped by being active. It’s about getting those endorphins going, being out in the open, and there’s something about being by water too - I think it’s quite therapeutic.

“It’s nice because you’re done and dusted by nine and by the time you get back, you still have the rest of your day ahead of you and you’ve already had a little win. You’ve got up on Sunday morning, you’ve gone and had a chat, had a run in the fresh air. I couldn’t think of many better ways to start the day.”

Newcomers are welcome, whether a Blue, Red or non-football fan, and Branch, keen to emphasise the social aspect of the group, added: “It’s not a club where you go to beat your 5k time. It’s literally just at a pace where you can talk.

“We have a little chat about anything, really, but with the season under way, people will usually be talking about the Saturday games, and looking ahead to the Sunday matches. There’s Liverpool fans and Evertonians, so there’s always a bit of banter.

“No one is on their own, and if they are, we’ll make sure to go over to talk to them. The group stay behind to chat and make new friends and that’s exactly how I wanted it.”