Danny Murphy has spoken about his struggle to come to terms with retirement, as a year group of footballers face the prospect of leaving the game.
In his column on the Mail on Sunday, Murphy said that the change to civilian life hit him 'like a sledgehammer'.
"The realisation I wouldn’t play football again, combined with the loss of most of my savings, left me suffering from depression, something I was in denial about at the time," Murphy said.
"During the dark days, which lasted 12 months, I indulged in drink, drugs and gambling. My marriage broke down, I fell out with my brothers and friends and became really isolated.
"It was a horrendous place until a mix of professional therapy and support from loved ones helped me back. And I consider myself blessed in comparison: I know many other ex-players who have struggled for years, some have felt suicidal.
"I’d go out drinking and gambling for longer. I’d dabble in drugs. What started out as sociable activities led over time to being isolated. The vices would be moved behind closed doors. And of course the problems I wanted to leave behind had doubled in my head the following morning.
Danny Murphy
Murphy spoke of the dangers of investments as a footballer, as many of those in the industry have been stung by dodgy deals.
"Footballers are usually working-class guys with little experience or knowledge of financial matters. So you have this whole industry of men in smart suits, impressive company names, glossy brochures and all the patter promising to look after your earnings wisely.
"Of course, there are some decent financial advisers but footballers will know others who turn out to be greedy and self-serving. Some overseas property investments proved disastrous. I, like many players, was caught up in the film schemes that were sold to us as tax relief. It turned into a saga of litigation and police enquiries.
"I’d worked hard during my short career to provide savings for the rest of my life — and most of it had gone. That was an extra toll on my mental health besides losing the physical buzz, camaraderie and acclaim the game had given me.
"I have many friends, ex-Premier League players, who are bankrupt and have had long bouts of depression.
They can feel suicidal based on their finances not being handled well, combined with no longer playing football. There was little doubt I was in a black hole and I’d urge any player who feels the same to seek help, regardless of whether some people think footballers are entitled to feel unhappy."
Murphy says that footballers need to be prepared for the fact that their former clubs will not support them.
"The harsh truth is that, once retired, clubs won’t really care about you. You are no longer an asset so you have to try and be responsible to yourself. I’d happily go to clubs and talk to players about how to make a better transition from football into ‘civilian’ life. Some may nod and not hear, they will be focused on the next game, but I’d still want to look them in the eye and appeal to them to make a plan after football, to make sure their finances are in order.
"A lot of players have been through hell by being ill-prepared. It’s not something I would recommend."
Danny Muphy's full interview with Off The Ball from earlier this year is here.
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