When Simon Haworth’s career ended following a serious leg injury, he walked away from professional football carrying little more than a wash bag and an overwhelming sense of uncertainty.

Despite having played at the highest levels of the game, Simon found himself unprepared for life after football. The loss of purpose, routine, fitness, teammates and identity created a void that gradually led to isolation, depression and problem gambling.

In this powerful and deeply honest interview, Simon reflects on the challenges many players face when their careers end, particularly the reluctance to ask for help. He explains how the very qualities that make athletes successful – resilience, competitiveness and self-reliance – can become barriers when support is needed most.

Having received vital support from The Players Foundation during a difficult period in his life, Simon has since rebuilt his future, retrained as a psychotherapist and now uses his own lived experience to help other players understand that vulnerability is not weakness and that support is available.