From the football pitch to the streets

0 Former footballer Robert Hare ‘sofa surfed’ then slept rough after injury ended his career Former professional footballer Robert Hare, 47, from Glasgow, who played for Dundee United, Airdrie, Clyde and East Stirling, tried to kill himself by taking an overdose while sleeping rough.

Mr Hare has been homeless twice – firstly after breaking his leg, aged 35, ending his career, and then when his relationship broke down and he was made redundant.

“I had a good upbringing, with loving parents and a stable home. I did well at school but eventually left to play football professionally. Because of my job, I wasn’t much or a drinker, I didn’t use drugs. In fact, I’ve never been addicted to anything other than football. I never thought that I would end up homeless and sleeping on the streets.

“Having a good job, a home and a good upbringing with supportive parents didn’t shield me from homelessness, said Mr Hare, who captained Scotland to victory in the 2011 Homeless World Cup.

“It took one accident to end my career. From then the path was paved for me to start losing it all.”

“Homelessness isn’t a blame game, and that’s what I tell the homeless guys I work with now. If it happened to me, it can happen to anyone.”