“I think the hardest conversation I had was when my wife said she didn't really recognize me.”
Preston North End defender Jack Watmough has spoken of his struggles with alcohol and gambling while sidelined by injuries throughout his career.
Watmough suffered three serious knee injuries in the space of four years while at Portsmouth, where he began his professional career, before eventually moving to Deepdale in 2023 after making over 100 appearances for Pompey over nine years.
“I had three major injuries very close together and I was too young and naive to understand what I was going to go through, what my body was going to go through and most importantly how my mind was going to react to having the football taken away from me.” Whatmough said on One on One Podcast.
“I've been through a lot and football is a big buzz for us athletes, so when it's taken away, you start looking for it in a different way.
“I learned that but maybe a little too late.”
The 28-year-old spent 17 months on the sidelines after suffering his first injury, but admitted problems only started to arise after setbacks later in his career, as he accelerated his recovery and slipped into bad habits while at home.
Jack Whatmough (left) joins Preston in 2023 having previously played for Portsmouth and Wigan
He added: “I was in a brace and I didn't move, bend or straighten my knee. It was only in place for three months.”
“I was doing things that were out of character. I was gambling and drinking more than ever, and I'm not an alcoholic, and that's when I kind of realized something was wrong and I sat down with my now-wife. And he talked to her.”
“I think the hardest conversation I had was when my wife said she didn't really recognize me.”
While the support of family and friends was needed, Watmo revealed he only started to make real progress after turning to the Professional Footballers' Association for regular meetings.
“There were a lot of avenues you could take, but the one I used was the PFA and I sat down and talked to them,” he said.
“It was just understanding why I felt the way I did and how I could change what I was doing.”
Whatmough will continue to hold hour-long meetings for up to 10 weeks, speaking for the first time about the issues he has been dealing with as he struggles to return to full fitness.
Whatmough has now set his sights on helping others with similar issues
Geoff Whiteley, part of the ATP's wellbeing department, also spoke to One on One Podcast About the work they are doing now with the players.
“One of the things we're really pushing forward is around education and well-being and the highs and lows and pitfalls of the industry,” he said.
“We're not guessing what players are actually experiencing in this day and age. That really helps us – then we can look at what services we already provide and what support is needed.”
The ability to communicate openly with others has since provided him with the coping mechanisms needed to deal with previous problematic situations in the future – and he has now set his sights on helping others with similar problems.
He continued: “Talk is a big thing, being frank and taking advantage of the people around you.
“I think there's a huge stigma and arrogance around men being brave and not needing help. One of the best things I ever did was get help, and I'm now happy to have conversations with anyone and open up.”
If you're worried about drinking too much, there is support available. Know your options.
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