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Life after football: ‘Everything I had suddenly was gone’

The Professional Footballers’ Association has likened retired footballers to veteran soldiers because of the way they struggle to cope with life when their playing careers end.

According to the PFA, there has been a 25% increase in footballers seeking help for mental health issues in the last year.

Former Wales, Gillingham and Aberdeen goalkeeper Jason Brown spoke to 5 live about his own issues.

He said he was able to deal with being booted in the face and having half an ear ripped off while he was a player but feels the hardest thing was “dealing with my faults” and “spending time by myself” once he retired.

“I wasn’t sleeping, I wasn’t eating,” he said. “Everything I have been doing since I was eight years of age – football - suddenly is gone,” he said. “Now I get it why people take their lives. I do understand it.”

This clip is originally from 5 live Breakfast on Thursday 3 November 2016.

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