Ahead of the Premier League game between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday 3 April, a fleet of free taxis will be offering supporters a free ride from West Brompton Tube station to the match at Stamford Bridge – on the condition that they use the journey to talk.

Each cab will be driven by a Samaritans-trained taxi driver to create a safe space for open conversations.

It comes as new research has revealed that 64 per cent of football fans struggle with their mental health, yet 42 per cent turn to taxi drivers instead of friends for support.

The initiative is part of Three UK's #TalkMoreThanFootball campaign, which – in collaboration with Samaritans and Chelsea FC – seeks to break the stigmas in mental health for football fans.

Crouch said: "It's so important that we talk about mental health as a normal part of our everyday lives – that we break down the stigma and feel more comfortable to open up. Football brings us together, so just as we support our football team, we should also support each other. It’s as easy as a text, phone call or a quick ‘how’s your week been’ to connect, whether you’re heading to the stadium or heading home. It sounds simple but it’s a great place to start."

Aislinn O'Connor, Marketing Director at Three UK and Ireland, said: "TalkMoreThanFootball is a reminder to the nation that help can be found anywhere. Whether it’s in the back of a taxi or with a friend at the football, a simple check-in or chat can make a huge difference to someone else. At Three, we feel passionately about the power of connection, in real life or through our phones. It can help to foster a greater sense of belonging and support for those around us."