I can help ex-players like Dalian

‘I’ve had a dozen players in last four or five years call me to say they are struggling’

YES, I’m serious, I want to send this message to the players’ union to say that I’m here, I’m ready and I’m willing to offer my services for free to help them put more structures in place for players who are struggling with their mental health.

I’ve been there, I know how desolate and lonely it can be ending your career. I know the void it leaves and how it can damage you. I know too, how proud and afraid players can be in refusing to ask for help.

So, I’m talking to the PFA to try and give them some practical help and advice in getting out there to players, especially in the light of the tragic death of Dalian Atkinson (above).

I am devastated for Dalian and his family. He lived 12 miles away from me and I didn’t know. He was struggling with mental health issues and I didn’t know. Football should have known.

If I’d known, I’d have been over there like a shot to talk him through my experiences and point him in the right direction, in terms of getting the correct support, like I did, because there are structures in place.

I can tell you that I’ve had a dozen players over the last four or five years call me to say they are struggling and don’t know what to do. I’ve put them in touch with people who can help – and it made a difference.

Very few clubs have any support in place for their former players.

The PFA have their Sporting Chance clinics, but they need a database to keep contact with all former players, because quite often they don’t want to come forward themselves.

It’s a tough world football and there’s still a stigma attached to mental health issues, but the time has come for the football world to reach out and offer more support, so we don’t get such tragic stories like Dalian’s ever again.