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What is it with "professional footballers"?

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/ ... al-5837774

Shitty things happen to people in life and they find they can't cope.

Being a footballer has got nothing to do with it, it just means you find yourself in the papers when it happens.

Granted shyty things happen to people in life. Not good for anyone. However there's a trend amongst professional and ex professional footballers that appear unable to cope with life.

One wonders what theyd do if they had the problems that affect many of us, yet the man in the street doesn't have the backing that a healthy bank balance can buy.

Compared to today, I don't think Kenny Sansom would've earned massive amounts of cash. Granted, more than the average man back in his day. But it sounds like the poor guy had a broken heart due to his wife leaving. Nothing to do with football.

I may be wrong, but I seem to remember reading something about a year ago which highlighted his plight and ended by saying than Arsenal had given him some form of employment along with a small flat/bedsit somewhere. I think Tony Adams may also have been mentioned.

Whatever the situation, the poor bloke obviously needs help and has my sympathy.

Footballer or not I feel for the bloke. None of us know what is around the corner or how we will deal with it, when things have gone wrong for me in recent times money does not enter my head to be perfectly honest.

They helped Gazza, why not him.

Got us all talking tho. Not a bad thing in the close season .

Arsenal seem to have their more than their fair share of fallen heroes, at least three come immediately to mind with Adams, Merson & Sansom.

Maybe these examples should be lessons learned to young players like our Teddy Bishop who's already shown a weakness to being led astray.

I think the employers have a mega important role to play educating these wealthy youngsters on how to stay straight and avoid the temptations of drugs, alcohol and gambling.

What was the name of that motd pundit who went home and hanged himself just hours after a broadcast...was he Welsh? His wife came home and found him. Terrible thing to do to his family.
But obviously distraut about something.

Can't remember anything significant coming out of the Gary Speed hanging. The only thing they seemed to cling to was maybe his was wife going to leave him. An attention seeking stint that went horribly wrong. That was all paper talk though.

Mers turned out ok after all his problems. I think he's superb on Soccer Saturday.

MERS ??? I take it you are not talking abut " Middle East Respitory Syndrome" which is the latest disease threatening civilisation !!! Or so they tell us.

One of Gary Speeds lads goes to my eldest school.

Plays midfield for the 1st XI. Looks just like his dad strolling around the park.

tbh I think its so sad when players cant cope after their playing days are over. Many seem to have no plan B in life. there's certanly a lot of depression amongst ex players and suicidal / drink related reports. I think the FA were or palyers union were / are trying to offer some kind of support network.

TODD66 wrote:Shitty things happen to people in life and they find they can't cope.

Being a footballer has got nothing to do with it, it just means you find yourself in the papers when it happens.

What he said. People invariably go through some degree of crisis in their lives including drink and depression, but being some level of 'celebrity' kind garners greater attention to the individual involved.

Can appreciate what Sansom in going through though, had a drink problem myself, been suicidal and had a gambling problem - still suffer depression to this day - but you have two plain and simple choices : either lose yourself in drink and pity and slide further into oblivion - or make the effort to seek help and get yourself out of your predicament best way you can - and as soon as possible.

Life is unfair, life can treat like you sh*t - but then you realize there's a great many like it and with the right support and encouragement, progress can be taken and you can revert back to day to day living. After a crisis or major setback life can never really be the same again, but we have to try and keep going. There's really only one other alternative, and despite what others have chosen, decided it wasn't the answer.

Never really understood why people turn to drink when depressed. Alcohol itself is a depressant, so essentially you're only making the situation worse.

In any event, do wish Sansom every success in his fight back and hope he receives the help he requires.

saint jude wrote:Never really understood why people turn to drink when depressed. Alcohol itself is a depressant, so essentially you're only making the situation worse.

It's definitely officially labelled as a depressant. But it's really only a depressant depending on how much is consumed. It's actually a stimulant for most people. It's that stimulation that most people are after, even people suffering from depression; in fact more so people with depression. But the more intoxicated the brain becomes, the less rational and hence, we get absolutely pished, the stimulation has gone, our legs are rubber and we usually end up crying into our pint glasses about how time flies and wishing it was the 80's again.

It's a vicious circle between stimulant and depressant......, add to the equation; an addictive nature = it's dangerous stuff.

marko69 wrote:

saint jude wrote:Never really understood why people turn to drink when depressed. Alcohol itself is a depressant, so essentially you're only making the situation worse.

It's definitely officially labelled as a depressant. But it's really only a depressant depending on how much is consumed. It's actually a stimulant for most people. It's that stimulation that most people are after, even people suffering from depression; in fact more so people with depression. But the more intoxicated the brain becomes, the less rational and hence, we get absolutely pished, the stimulation has gone, our legs are rubber and we usually end up crying into our pint glasses about how time flies and wishing it was the 80's again.

It's a vicious circle between stimulant and depressant......, add to the equation; an addictive nature = it's dangerous stuff.

... but can help create a lot of fun with controlled consumption, well, maybe not too controlled.

I think the key to alcohol is not to become dependent on it or to rely on it get through the day.

One of the key drivers appears to be loneliness, I think if you live in a loving family or loving relationship the partner would usually spot the danger and support the other with help and encouragement. It's when relationships break down and the one left on his or her own then drown their sorrows and the downward spiral begins.

I'm guessing if too many drivers slip into place it's an easy wagon to fall onto.

Yip, spot on. ^