SAINTS midfielder Will Smallbone has become an ambassador for Alopecia UK and insists he wants to help others after his diagnosis in 2021.

The 22-year-old is currently out on loan playing regular Championship football with Stoke City until the end of the season.

Smallbone suffered a difficult couple of years at St Mary’s with long-term injury recovery made harder by an Alopecia diagnosis off the pitch.

He recalls not wanting to leave the house without a hat, due to the embarrassment he felt by the condition causing a loss of hair.

However, the Republic of Ireland international hopeful has now opened up on his experience and is encouraging confidence in others.

“I first started losing my hair towards the end of 2020 with a small patch appearing on the back of my head which slowly got bigger and bigger,” he explained, to Alopecia UK.

“And then within 3 to 4 months, I started to lose hair all over my head and decided to shave my head. It then eventually stopped growing back and has left me how I am now.

“I was very sad at first and it was quite a traumatic time, going from having loads of hair to then all being completely gone within a few months,” he added.

“At first, I wouldn’t ever leave the house without a hat because I felt embarrassed about how I looked which I would say I have now overcome!”

Smallbone has now set out his reasons for becoming an ambassador for the UK charity, which was formed in 2004 and fights the effects of Alopecia by raising awareness and funding research.

“I want to help other people going through a similar thing and to be able to use my public platform as a professional footballer to help other people with the same problems in a positive way and raise awareness,” he said.

“I want to show people alopecia isn’t something to be embarrassed or ashamed of and that you can still achieve your dreams. If I can help only one person then it would mean a lot to me.”

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