ANGUISH OF IDOLS
Aces tempted and brought low
TWO top footballers have revealed that they had to seek help to deal with pressure in the sport.
Ex- Manchester United ace Ryan Giggs and Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher spoke days after Everton’s Aaron Lennon was detained under the Mental Health Act and began treatment for a stress-related condition.
Giggs, 43, said he saw a psychiatrist after retiring, when he realised he was “institutionalised” after 28 years with the same club. He said: “My life had been so shaped by life at Old Trafford I realised I had to make some preparations for the change.” Giggs added he sometimes battled feelings of “worthlessness” and that Lennon’s ordeal highlights the mental health issues players face.
Meanwhile Carragher, 39, revealed he saw a sports psychologist to deal with the stress of playing at Anfield.
He said: “I used to put myself under enormous pressure. If games had gone badly I would take things home with me. I’d be snappy at my kids.”
But Steve thinks Barton should have been given help instead of punishment – and used to spearhead a campaign to help others.
He said: “To say Joey is the tip of the iceberg is a massive understatement. I’d say at least half of any squad’s players are regular gamblers, with a massive number being addicts who need help.”
Steve who worked with Barton for four months in 2012 at Fleetwood Town, is convinced the ban is simply a way of brushing the problem under the carpet.
He said: “Every day Joey is fighting an addiction the FA and most of football denies exists.
“Joey doesn’t need punishment, he needs help. This draconian kind of sentencing doesn’t address the real issues here and just pushes the massive gambling culture further underground. It’s like being a homosexual in the 1950s.”
He continued: “Joey was up front with the FA about his gambling back in 2012, so why didn’t the FA support him then?
“I saw first hand how Joey reached out to the younger players at Fleetwood who were obviously gambling, which had a massive positive impact.
“Instead of being nailed to a cross, he should be used to head a campaign to raise awareness and encourage openness.
“There’s no point someone preaching to you about gambling addiction who hasn’t been in your shoes. Joey is intelligent and articulate. To throw him to the wolves in this way is a huge waste.”
Steve, who has been drafted in Paul Merson Despite a fruitful postplaying career as a Sky Sports pundit, ex-Arsenal ace Paul Merson, left, has failed to conquer his gambling demons. In 2008 he had to give up his £300,000 home after failing to maintain his mortgage payments. Drug, alcohol and gambling addiction is said to have cost Merson £7million. Eidur Gudjohnsen
In 2009, stories emerged of former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen’s £6million gambling debt. The Icelander became addicted while recovering from injury at Barcelona. Matthew Etherington
The Stoke winger admitted blowing £1.5million on gambling in 2010. His woes – linked to poker and horse betting – peaked at West Ham. Michael Chopra
The Blackpool striker lost up to £2million. His £20,000 a day habit forced him to leave Cardiff and play injured at Ipswich to cover debts. Kenny Sansom Arsenal legend Sansom, right, came