Everton hopeful who went from Merseyside derby to driving a taxi
John Paul Kissock experienced the “culture shock” of going from Everton’s squad in a Merseyside derby to driving a taxi just six months later.
The former midfielder believes young players should have to learn a trade alongside academy football to prepare them for the real world, with selection then conditional on passing their qualifications.
He was released at Goodison Park in 2009 and found it difficult to adjust to the change of finances and status, before rebuilding his career in Scotland and non-league football.
“I went from being on the bench in the Merseyside derby to driving a taxi around Liverpool within six months,” Kissock said. “It was a culture shock. In the Premier League, the lifestyle is fantastic. You think it will never end, but unless you make it, it’s not life-changing. You can go from £1,500 a week to £500 a week and when your lifestyle has been at that high level, you think, ‘What’s going on here?’”
Kissock, 31, spent his childhood at Everton and feels academy players need qualifications for when football ends. “I don’t think there is enough done in academies for lads
to have something to fall back on. Every academy should have a day or evening regularly dedicated to getting a trade, which must be passed or they don’t play. Clubs should get them ready for the real world.
“For the lads who it doesn’t happen for, they can then struggle to get a club and fall out of love with the game. At 22, 23, 24 they’ve then got to do an apprenticeship and there is nothing for them. You’ve dedicated your life to football.”
Kissock, assistant manager at non-league Whitehawk last season, says players have added pressure on social media when they get released and can struggle to cope.
“It’s a hard environment for young lads. It’s not for the weakhearted and not everyone is the same – some struggle with mental health. There is a lot of pressure trying to get contracts.
“It’s social media pressure as well now. They’re on Instagram at an academy from not having a club. They feel they have something to live up to. It’s really difficult.
“The money side of it fluctuates from year to year as you get seasonlong contracts lower down the leagues. You’ve put your life into football and then it ends. The harsh reality is that you struggle to pay your bills.
“Some lads can just deal with it, but everyone is different. Some lads can say, ‘I’m going to prove you wrong’, but other lads can crumble.”