Rob Allen founded the very first Sands United FC team in Northampton in 2018. Sands United grew from grief after Rob and his wife Charlotte's baby daughter, Niamh, died on 9 October 2017 at 39 weeks and 3 days.

Rob’s love of football led to him organising a football match at Northampton Town FC in aid of Sands on 23 May 2018.

After the success of the match, the bereaved dads, uncles and brothers decided to form Sands United FC, in Northampton’s Nene Valley League.

Since forming in 2018, Sands United has grown to support hundreds of men across the UK through a love of sport and an environment where they can talk about their loss.