‘Young Footballers Highly Likely To Get Depression’

Researchers at Teesside University say those young players who are dropped from football academies are highly likely to go on to suffer with depression and anxiety.

Published 26th Jan 2015

Researchers at Teesside University say those young players who are dropped from football academies are highly likely to go on to suffer with depression and anxiety.

They also found that many turn to alcohol and drugs as they are told they may not make it professionally.

The researchers say there should be more support from clubs and other organisations.

Mark Bertram played at Newcastle United’s academy but was released when he was 18.

He told us the club are great at handling it, but would still like to see additional support.

“You’re so caught up in the moment and you have dreamt of having a career at Newcastle and it is so demoralising.

“A lot of it’s based on the social status that you lose, and people who have had money and then haven’t.

“It’s making the players aware of that at an early age.”

24-year-old Mark now works at the Newcastle academy.