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LUKE CHADWICK has revealed he was left battling depression and anxiety after being mocked for his appearance.
The former Manchester United midfielder was on the books at Old Trafford between 1997 and 2004.
PA
PA
GettyChadwick came through the United youth system, winning the Premier League in 2001.
He would go to play for West Ham, Stoke and MK Dons in a near two-decade career.
Ahead of releasing his autobiography Not Just a Pretty Face, the 44-year-old has opened up about abuse he suffered as a young pro.
Chadwick admits cruel comments about his appearance made him want to hide away in his house in the early stages of his career.
He told BBC Sport: “As a 19, 20-year-old it should have been the best time of my life but for a period of time.
“I didn’t want to go to the shops, I didn’t want to go out with my friends.
“I would just want to stay at home because I was so scared that people would talk about the way that I looked.
“I wasn’t able to speak about it to anyone – not even my family, my friends – it was something that I kept so deep inside.
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“I probably felt helpless, in a way, because I just didn’t know how to deal with it. And I just wanted it to stop, really.”
Chadwick’s anxiety improved after moving away from Old Trafford to join the Hammers in 2004.
He continued: “It wasn’t until I came away from Manchester United, and the spotlight’s not on you as much.
“I was able to rebuild my confidence and live a really happy life.
“Football was always the place I felt free – the place where I didn’t think about anything else.”
Chadwick also received an apology from Gary Lineker for comments made on the BBC show They Think It’s All Over.
Lineker was a team captain on the panel show, which regularly poked fun at Chadwick over his looks.
The England legend wrote on X in 2020: “I was part of that show, therefore, I too would like to apologise to Luke Chadwick for any hurt caused.”
Depression... the signs to look for and what to do
Depression can manifest in many ways.
We all feel a bit low from time to time.
But depression is persistent and can make a person feel helpless and unable to see a way through.
They may also struggle to about daily life.
Mind says these are some common signs of depression that you may experience:
How you might feel
- Down, upset or tearful
- Restless, agitated or irritable
- Guilty, worthless and down on yourself
- Empty and numb
- Isolated and unable to relate to other people
- Finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy
- Angry or frustrated over minor things
- A sense of unreality
- No self-confidence or self-esteem
- Hopeless and despairing
- Feeling tired all the time
How you might act
- Avoiding social events and activities you usually enjoy
- Self-harming or suicidal behaviour
- Difficulty speaking, thinking clearly or making decisions
- Losing interest in sex
- Difficulty remembering or concentrating on things
- Using more tobacco, alcohol or other drugs than usual
- Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much
- No appetite and losing weight, or eating more than usual and gaining weight
- Physical aches and pains with no obvious physical cause
- Moving very slowly, or being restless and agitated
If you feel this way, visit your GP who can help you.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential:
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123, [email protected]
- CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Shout (for support of all mental health) www.giveusashout.org/get-help/, text 85258 to start a conversation
Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email [email protected] or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
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