Inquest hears of top rugby coach’s battle with depression
AN influential rugby league coach hanged himself at the club where he played after a six month battle with depression and anxiety.
Stephen Gartland, 45, was found in the gym at Rochdale’s Mayfield Rugby Club on August 19 last year.
The father-of-two was well loved in the community and in his youth had played professionally for Rochdale Hornets, Oldham Roughyeds and Swinton Lions.
At an inquest into his death, his wife, Joanne, paid tribute to her husband, who was ‘born and raised’ in Oldham, describing him as ‘fun loving and sociable.’
Mr Gartland was known to friends and fans as ‘Garty’ and became a popular youth coach after ending his playing career.
His wife told the Heywood hearing that her husband had been both mentally and physically fit until six months before his death, and had shown ‘no signs whatsoever’ of anxiety or depression.
But in February she noticed him ‘changing’ and ‘becoming quieter’ and his mental health quickly deteriorated. He experienced anxiety and depression and became paranoid. In his final months, Mr Gartland tried three times to take his own life.
He complained of insomnia which his wife found odd as he had never had sleep issues before. She said: “He was a good sleeper. He could sleep on a washing line if he wanted to.
“I was concerned but he wouldn’t talk about anything. He didn’t really open up.
“That’s when I spoke with him about accessing support through work.”
Mr Gartland, who lived with his wife and their two sons on Carpenters Way, Rochdale, was prescribed medication for depression, anxiety and insomnia.
In a statement read by the coroner, son Bradley said: “Dad was frustrated that day but no more than usual.
“He told me he was going to the gym. I thought that was quite positive. I said I would make sandwiches for when he got home.”
When he didn’t turn up, Mr Gartland’s family reported him missing.
It turned out instead of heading to PureGym where he was member he drove to Mayfield Rugby Club. He then called his son but hung up without speaking.
Bradley’s statement continued: “When I traced dad’s phone it showed he was at Mayfield Rugby Club. The last reading was at 4.30pm then it must have gone flat.
“The police went to the rugby club and a short time later they called the officers at our house who told us dad had died.”
Det Insp Muz Kernain was called to the club and noticed a Kia Sportage car like Mr Gartland’s parked ‘neatly’ outside the club.
The rugby club was busy that day as crowds gathered for a fundraising event in memory of drummer Lee Rigby.
But the gymnasium was located at the back of the club.
Det Insp Kernain spoke to event organiser Gavin Vitler on arrival who told him he had seen Mr Gartland earlier that day, walking around the stalls and looking at displays. He said Mr Gartland looked like ‘he was enjoying himself.’
At 7.30pm Mr Vitler noticed the door to the gym was slightly open - thinking nothing of it he closed and padlocked the door.
When police entered the gym at about 9.30pm they made the tragic discovery of Mr Gartland’s body.
The post-mortem concluded he had died from hanging.
A toxicology test showed he had taken mirtazapine, which he had been prescribed for depression and anxiety. There were no illicit drugs in his system.
●●The inquest continues.