Owls keeper Chris Kirkland reveals depression made him quit football
He's been opening up about his struggles with mental health
Former Sheffield Wednesday and Doncaster Rovers goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has opened up about his battle with depression, and revealed it made him quit football.
The 36-year-old, whose career was hampered by injuries, says he even thought about taking his own life. But he added that thoughts of his wife Leeona and daughter Lucy kept him going.
He quit football after asking Bury to tear up his contract before the 2016-17 season, having joined a few months earlier.
Kirkland told The Guardian: “I was worried how close I was to the next step. That's why I said: 'I need to stop playing football'.''
Kirkland began his career with Coventry and was part of the Liverpool squad which won the 2005 Champions League.
He also played for Wigan before joining Doncaster Rovers on loan in October 2011.
He signed a two-year contract with the Owls the following year – and was famously assaulted by a fan who ran onto the pitch during the 1-1 draw against Leeds United.
In 2014 Keiren Westwood replaced him as the team’s first choice keeper, and Kirkland left Hillsborough in July 2015 after turning down a new contract.
He added: “It's easy for me to talk about it now because I've seen a way out of it. That is the biggest thing and I want other people and other players to know that you've just got to talk.
“I never saw a way out of it until I started to talk about it. There was a fear. But as soon as you talk, that's when you're helping yourself and your family.''
Kirkland, who made one England appearance in 2006, also reflected on what might have been had injuries not blighted his career.
He said: “I always wonder, and I can't help it, where I would have got to if I had been injury-free.
“My career could have been a lot better. When people say Chris Kirkland, they say: 'Always injured.' It's not like: 'Chris Kirkland; he won the Champions League.''