People think we are all macho men, but players are fragile
‘WE TEND TO HOLD THINGS IN AND NOT SHARE OUR FEELINGS’
RICHARD DUNNE was the epitome of a warrior once he crossed the white line but the former Republic of Ireland lion heart has admitted even the strongest characters are susceptible to dark times off the pitch.
In the wake of England international Aaron Lennon being treated under the Mental Health Act for a stress-related illness, Dunne believes it’s time for football to be more open about issues relating to mental health.
‘I don’t know what has happened to Aaron but I certainly feel sorry for him because he is obviously in a bad place. There are moments as a footballer when you go through a dark stage, like anyone in any job when things are not going well for you.
‘You get down in the dumps. I suppose it is important you do have a support network. Certainly in Aaron Lennon’s case, you should not be afraid to tell people how you are feeling, but because football is cast in this macho image, people tend to hold things in and not share their feelings.
‘But we have seen this week it is part of the game and people need to respect it and treat it correctly and accept we cannot all be happy all the time and that things go on behind the scenes that need looking after.’
Dunne has retired to the south of France following a career with Everton, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers and is continuing to adjust to life since hanging up his boots.
He is considering doing his coaching badges and has become a regular pundit both here and in Britain.
One of his old clubs, Aston Villa, host Premier League-bound Brighton and Hove Albion today and Dunne cannot get his head around the fact they might finish in the bottom half of the Championship if results go against them on the final afternoon of the season.
‘I am very surprised because I thought when Steve Bruce came in that he was the perfect man for the job. He has such a great track record in the Championship, which is why I thought he would be ideal.
‘But for whatever reason the signings he made in January have not really worked out for him.
‘They have not kicked on at all. I wouldn’t say they have been a waste of money but it looks like they are going to have to spend again in the summer, almost to rebuild the team again.
‘They have become a bit disjointed in places. They seem as far away now as they were at the start of the season. So it is going to be another rebuilding job.
‘I am not blaming the chairman but I think his ambitions were too much in that he wanted to be one of the top three clubs in European football within a few years.
‘That seems a million miles away. It does not help the manager when fans are given those sort of expectations straight away.
‘They have not bought really top Championship players. They have bought guys from the middle of the Championship.
‘‘They need to look, maybe, at what Newcastle did, and sign players like Marcus Gayle, good squad players in the Premier League who are top Championship players. That is where they need to stand up. You have to pay big wages for players who want to play for Villa in the Premier League, who want to get Villa there.
‘Aston Villa, to be a top side, qualifying for the Champions League seems like the impossible dream at the moment because of the distance that is between the top seven in the Premier League to where Villa are now.’ Aviva’s Junior Cup Ambassador, Richard Dunne will visit communi ties in Sheriff Street in Dublin and Kilkenny over the next two days in preparation for next week’s FAI Junior Cup final at Aviva Stadium.