Quote Originally Posted by Monaco_Totty View Post
Most of the men I've shared psychology sessions with have the same mindset Spaldy.

Two well known physically fit intelligent footballers who I've spent times with in session and have talked to out of session in recovery units [who I am allowed to name] said exactly the same.

Both ex-Leeds players living in Yorkshire & doing lots of fantastic work when well,now helping people in need of mental health advice - Aaron Lennon & Clark Carlisle.

Both footballers knew how to look after physical health but didn’t really know who to turn to when starting to feel low and became very ill.

Both didn’t realise they needed help until it was too late and both would tell friends and family they were okay sadly when it was not.

Both now regularly go into schools & colleges & Academies to explain the importance of the need to ask for for help instead of hiding away feeling ashamed of what family and friends would think because people who need help can be difficult to spot and they tend to cover it up very well which I and many others did.
I can imagine the transition from lauded professional footballer to something close to "normal" life can't be straightforward, especially when fans can be absolute tools when they perceive your skills to be waning and you eventually become "surplus to requirements."

Obviously nowhere near the same level as the two you mention, but as my football playing days came to an end, I got irritated as my official squad number steadily got higher each season, despite my having no significant ties to the initial number I was issued (I went from 6 to 16 to 18).