Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterFormer Premier League star Clare Carlisle has explained how a major injury precipitated his first attempt to take his own life back in 2001.One-time centre-back Carlisle was a 21-year-old QPR player at the time and ended up missing an extended spell of third-tier action, just as his career seemed to be on the up.As you might imagine, that came as a devastating blow - and Carlise has been up-front about just how bad things for got for him.Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List"Football meant so much to me. It brought me out of the council estate and was making my dreams come true"Carlisle told FourFourTwo: "I went into an innocuous tackle with Rufus Brevett and I snapped my ACL, rotated the fibula head, dislodged the nerve and ripped the hamstring off my right knee."I was out for 22 months and it was just utterly horrendous. That was the beginning of the mental health struggles. You may like Clarke Carlisle explains how he appeared on Countdown I have no memory of my car crash. When the first responders got there one leg was a quarter smaller than the other because it was completely shattered Michail Antonio on his 2024 car crash Scottish football club sporting director has had arguably the maddest career in history "Football meant so much to me. It brought me out of the council estate and was making my dreams come true."The surgeon told me that I wouldn't play again. That was the first time I attempted my own life. It was post-op, and I was just drinking myself into oblivion in a flat in Acton.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over."Thankfully I was found. I'd taken an overdose, and they pumped my stomach. I survived."The thing is, in 2001, that wasn't seen as a cry for help. It was more like, Oops, you got away with that one, Clarke, you naughty boy, don't do that again!."We all just pretended it never happened. What to read next I shut myself away and became totally depressed. I cancelled all appearances and TV work. I didnt want to talk to a soul Chris Kamara reveals how he dealt with devastating medical diagnosis Troy Deeney on coming back from the brink "I thought about ending my career: I was only 25" Loris Karius opens up about two-year hell after THAT Liverpool vs Real Madrid Champions League final "On and off the training pitch, I gave everything for two years to get back to fitness."Not only that, but I went on to play for another 13 years."So even though it was the beginning of my adverse mental health, it was still an incredible example of how my application and dedication and determination allowed me to overcome a career-threatening injury."Carlisle went on to reach the Premier League with Watford and then again with Burnley."What youve got to comprehend is that I didn't know I was experiencing adverse mental health going through all that with my injuries - so there's no cognition that I'm overcoming something."I went to Watford and helped them get promoted to the Premier League, but I missed the first seven months of the following season. I thought I'd missed my chance."By the time I made my Premier League debut against Portsmouth at Vicarage Road, on a blazing-hot day, I had an absolute stormer - but we were already relegated at that point."TOPICSLeeds UnitedBurnleyQPRBlackpoolSteven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.With contributions fromEd McCambridgeStaff Writer
