Dave Kitson: Former Reading, Stoke and Portsmouth striker opens up about his battle with depression
Dave Kitson has lifted the lid on how he’s been battling depression for years.The former Stoke, Reading and Portsmouth striker played in the Premier League for all three clubs and revealed he was going through the worst of it at Pompey.
6Kitson said some of his displays in a Portsmouth shirt were one of a “pale imitation of a footballer”.However, he was unable to take time off immediately as the south coast club were in administration and looking for reasons to terminate the contract of any player.Writing in his column for The Sun, Kitson said: “I have been fighting my own battle for years. As I climbed the leagues I found I took on more wealth and fame but all the time I was painting myself into a corner.“As things got bigger, the space I had to move became smaller until I felt it choking me.“Depression is cruel. At certain moments it has rendered me helpless. “There were times playing for Portsmouth when I shouldnt have been anywhere near the training ground, let alone the pitch. But at the time theclub was in administration and the owners were desperately trying to find ways to sack players for breach of contract, so not turning up wasnt an option. It was a torturous spiral for everybody.“What I produced on the pitch was a pale imitation of a footballer and a classic example of a man with clinical depression.“I do not blame the fans for screaming at me from the stands but there were so many times that I wanted to scream back at them: ‘You dont understand!’
6Kitson was unable to address his mental health issues immediately due to Portsmouth’s dire financial situation at the time“They didnt know what the problem was and I wasnt about to offer up what Im sure many would have considered a pathetic excuse from a grown man playing pro football.“At home I couldnt move from the sofa, the TV wasnt on and I didnt eat. I just stared out of the window.“I was non-functioning and hopelessly lost and eventually the illness convinced my brain the best thing for everybody concerned would be if I found a way to put an end to it all.“I was officially diagnosed at Portsmouth by a fantastic doctor called Greg Warner, after Id deliberately driven my car into the concrete pillar of a bridge.
6Kitson’s decision to open up was partly-inspired by hearing ex-Portsmouth team-mate David Cotterill’s story“Today, I survive on a cocktail of medication and regular visits to a psychiatrist.”Depression is an illness that is affecting more and more footballers, including Kitson’s ex-Portsmouth team-mate David Cotterill.Kitson added that it was Cotterill’s decision to open up that helped inspire him to do the same.He added: “Im still here and thankfully a lot of the depression that came from knowing that I can never play professional football again has given way to a new chapter in my life.
6Kitson in action for Stoke in 2009“Im new to punditry and writing columns and, as such, Ive found that I regularly come in for criticism from ex-players and managers from a bygone era who believe I have gone against some kind of prehistoric code of silence by talking about what really happens within the game. And in particular, what happens inside the changing rooms.“But look at where that code has brought us.“The idea that what happens in the changing room stays in the changing room is a recipe for a lonely existence that ultimately leads to depression and, in the worst cases, death.
6Ex-Burnley captain Clarke Carlisle has gone public about his ongoing battle with depressionA third of ex-players suffer from mental illness with that number predicted to soar, while German goalkeeper Robert Enke took his own life in November 2009.Former Burnley captain Clarke Carlisle has tried to kill himself on multiple occasions, having previously spoken about his battle with depression.Kitson added: “Clearly, the pressure of professional football is a major problem for an ever-increasing number of players.“Its a real illness and it doesnt discriminate based on the job you do or the wealth you have.
6Former Hannover 96 keeper Robert Enke committed suicide in 2009 after struggling to cope with the death of his daughter“So the question is not: ‘What have you footballers got to be depressed about?’“The question is: ‘Why are these players trying to kill themselves?'”
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, these organisations will provide support . . . CALMwww.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585858 HEADS TOGETHERwww.headstogether.org.ukMINDwww.mind.org.uk, 0300 1233393 PAPYRUSwww.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 0684141 SAMARITANSwww.samaritans.org116123
talksport.com — GUNNER GO Ex-Gunner says he couldn't bear Spurs fans' gloating if they won Europe's top trophy and Arsenal won the Europa League Former Arsenal star Perry Groves has told talKSPORT he'll 'move to Australia' if Tottenham win the Champions League. Gunners fans may well be looking over at their north London rivals with a
Fernando Llorente DID handball for Tottenham's vital goal
Latest Premier League Relegation Tips. Odds correct at the time of writing and may fluctuate. Please see betting site in question for latest odds. Relegation Tip 1: Cardiff to be relegated at 7/10 with 888Sport; Relegation Tip 2: Southampton to be relegated at 7/1 with BetVictor
Premier League Relegation Betting Odds | Football
The current shirts are supplied by Puma Beforehand it was supplied by German sportswear producer Adidas , whose deal was scheduled to run until 2023. brazil home kit I want to receive occasional info and updates from Signed Inter Milan Soccer Shirt Blue Black framed and jumblebee.
New Juventus Away Kit 12-13- Nike Black Juventus Jersey 2012-2013
Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer, and not just since Zinedine Zidane returned to the club. Ever since Cristiano Ronaldo left the.. SoccerNews.com - Published 3 days ago: Kylian Mbappe next club latest: Odds shorten on PSG wonderkid making surprise move to Newcastle United
Ligue 1 Archives - Prognósticos de apostas desportivas online
Nuno Espirito Santo challenges Adama Traore to improve amid Chelsea starlet Tammy Abraham's rumoured loan move to Wolves Posted on March 1, 2019 Nuno Espirito Santo has warned Wolves' record signing Adama Traore he must improve as the Premier League club edge closer to securing a loan deal for Tammy Abraham.
Nuno challenges Adama Traore to improve - Sports Mole
Birmingham City were deducted nine points this week for breaching spending rules. Aston Villa, Derby and Sheffield Wednesday are all facing the possibility of being hit with points deductions like
Three more Championship clubs facing points deductions over
Wolves vs Liverpool LIVE on talkSPORT - How to listen and
Manchester City have apologised to Chelsea for the music that rang out around the Etihad Stadium following the hosts' 6-0 victory on Sunday. The Madness song 'One Step Beyond', which is regularly played at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea win, blasted out of the stadium speakers immediately after the final whistle.
Man City apologise to Chelsea for playing iconic Madness song
Pablo Zabaleta wants West Ham United to sign former Manchester City star Samir Nasri The Frenchman has not played competitive football for almost a year due to a doping ban, but is now training
Pablo Zabaleta shelves retirement plans to sign new contract
Real Madrid Transfer news Huddersfield 1 Man United 1: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side miss out on Champions League qualification with Paul Pogba engineering a superb backpedalling header to
Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd signing 'very close', Griezmann
West Ham transfer window gossip: Five midfielders Hammers could sign, including Chelsea and Tottenham stars Posted on March 1, 2019 Manuel Pellegrini will be aiming to strengthen his West Ham United squad this month.
The bargain transfer fee West Ham can pay to sign Andre Gomes
RIO FERDINAND has warned Manchester United fans not to start dreaming of a shock Champions League triumph. The Old Trafford legend, 39, delivered European glory with United in 2008, conceding just
David De Gea a SUPERHERO for Manchester United purrs Rio
Mar 12, 2019 · Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first hat-trick for Juventus to send the club into the Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday as the Italian side fought back
~ Juventus 3-0 Atletico Madrid (3-2 on agg): Cristiano
No comments:
Post a Comment