WES MY MONEY?
Ex-footballer on bankruptcy woe
WES Brown has opened up about being declared bankrupt, almost a year after a petition was filed against him by the UK’S Revenue and Customs.
Brown, 44, made more than 300 Premier League appearances at top clubs including Manchester United and Sunderland.
But the 23-cap England international lost millions after ending his playing career, it is understood in property deals. The defender also split from wife Leanne in 2022.
Speaking to the Ben Heath Podcast, he discussed issues which he said “came to a head” last year. In speaking out, he said other players have indicated they are in similar situations.
“It’s a long story and I won’t go into the detail, but it’s stuff that happened a long time ago with certain investments and getting into stuff that as a young kid, a lot of people go into, [but] don’t really understand what a lot of people are doing. Then it came to a head last year. I’m just getting on with it but it’s one of those things where you hope people, especially this generation, don’t get involved in.”
He added: “I’ve had a lot of players that have said, ‘I’m in the same thing’. I won’t say names...
“When you’re kids you don’t really understand it anyway, you assume a lot of people are doing it and it’s fine. That’s not your life, you’re just playing football.
CRISIS
“The main thing is when you are making a lot of money, you need the right people, don’t you? And I would say that’s one of the things I didn’t have.”
Earlier this year, ex-everton and Ireland star Gareth Farrelly, 48, told Mirror Football about the game’s bankruptcy crisis.
Farrelly, now a lawyer, indicated big wages are no protection, warning: “You’ve got a house, car, lifestyle commensurate with your football contract.
“You make one or two bad investments and you’re done
“You will never be able to carry the losses, based on initial net investments. This emphasises the importance of having good people around you.”