Ex-Hornets ace’s depression battle

AFORMER Rochdale Hornets star who nearly took enough pills to ‘kill 100 people’ has opened up about his battle with depression and suicidal thoughts in a bid to help others.

Danny Sculthorpe’s life spiralled out of control when he was forced to retire following an injury-plagued career.

The 37-year-old, born in Oldham, had to quit the sport he loved after a severe back problem left him bed-bound.

Ex-prop Danny, who also played for England and Wigan Warriors, said he was ‘crippled’ by depression and tormented by suicidal thoughts. He said he ‘bottled up’ his feelings until he reached ‘crisispoint’, but was saved by talking through his anguish with family and friends.

Danny, who suffered with fitness throughout his career because of his diabetes, added: “I’d gone from being a fit sportsman, at the peak of my career, to becoming someone who just moved from a bed to a settee because of the damage done to my back.

“The depression was crippling. But it wasn’t depression mainly about my career – it was feeling like I couldn’t provide for my wife and kids.

“Of course I missed the banter and the friendship with the lads, but not being able to provide for my own was the worst thing – especially when we lost the house.”

At that time, in 2010, Danny had daughter, Ellie, then aged four and Louis, two.

The family was in turmoil after Bradford Bulls ripped up Danny’s contract when he suffered a serious back injury.

Some five years later, he was awarded a fivefigure compensation fee for the training injury, which happened before he’d even pulled on the club’s shirt.

Danny added: “I just couldn’t get the thoughts out of my head.

“It was torture feeling like I had let my family down.

“And, like a lot of blokes I didn’t want to talk about my problems.”

At one point, barely able to walk again, Danny bought enough pills to ‘kill 100 people’, which he planned to take in his car.

But when he talked to his parents at the eleventh-hour, the opened’.

Danny added: “I was able to tell my parents everything and that started the process of healing for me.

“I found that talking was as much an antidepressant as the drugs.”

Danny, who is training to be a counsellor, is working with council and health chiefs to tackle depression and help those suffering from suicidal thoughts across Greater Manchester.

“Devolution broke down barriers, but that’s what talking does too,” he added.

“I’d like to see more people to have the courage to ask someone who is suffering, what’s wrong. That one question could save a life – it did for me.

“People shouldn’t be scared for talking. If ‘floodgates someone is suicidal, asking a question isn’t going to make them worse – they have already got to that point.”