Former Wanderers youngster Ronan Darcy has received praise from fans around the country after sending a “powerful message”.

Darcy was on target as Crawley beat MK Dons 3-0 in the League Two play-off semi-final first leg on Tuesday night.

After he scored, the 23-year-old lifted up his shirt to reveal a message that read ‘mental health matters’.

The former Bolton man was asked about the gesture after the final whistle. He told Sky Sports: “I wanted everyone to see it.

“When better to do it than when the cameras are here? I just want everyone to observe this powerful message.

“Everyone needs to start reading into it more and looking into it more because a lot of people suffer with it. That is why I did it.”

Darcy has since received plenty of positive messages on social media. One supporter wrote: “Fair play. A tough subject men and women can easily hide away from” and another added: “I feel everyone who can should repost this. What an absolute hero Ronan Darcy is.”

His brother, Ben posted: “What a performance from @crawleytown but could not be prouder of my brother for his goal but also for using his moment to spread such an important message. Love you Ro.”

Mind, Body & Sole, an organisation that aims to offer support and raise awareness for mental health, wrote: “Mental Health Matters. Thank you @ronan_darcy for highlighting this in your celebration this evening and raising awareness for mental health.”

Darcy joined Wanderers at the age of seven and was one of the ‘Junior Whites’ who held Coventry to a goalless draw in August 2019 when the first-team squad had gone on strike due to unpaid wages.

He left the club in the summer of 2022 to sign for Swindon and has spent the past season at Crawley, scoring six goals in all competitions as they battle for promotion to the third tier.