The news tonight - Reporting Scotland - says 64% of pro footballers have suffered or know of suffering.

 

Dean Windass and Neil Lennon were provided as high-profile case examples.

 

Well boo fucking hoo.

 

Play fitba for a living, get paid a lot and can't handle life?

 

Fuck off you absolute cretins.

 

Who gives a fuck that Deano tried to kill himself? He was so shite at that, he failed, twice.

 

Like nae other cunt has tried to top themselves?

 

You think you got problems, footballers? Fucking pathetic reporting angle.

You should seek medical help. You're clearly in desperate need of it.

You should seek medical help. You're clearly in desperate need of it.

 

Given the probable ineffectiveness of the system, I'm not sure they would be able to offer a diagnosis in 10 minutes.

 

But thanks for the counselling since you're unable or unwilling to make a contribution.

 

Provocation is a good strategy for cutting to the chase. I was hoping to get past the politically-correct classes.

It's the statistic I have issue with. It's a ridiculous stat, which does nothing to help those with mental health issues, just belittles the issue. Just tell us the stat of how many players have suffered, that's the only thing relevant here. They're trying to sell a cause (an admirable one probably) here rather than give people honest facts.

 

I'll explain. If I ask "do you know someone with depression" to five Aberdeen players, when I know that one Aberdeen player is suffering from depression, then I'm highly likely to get 60% + players who respond "Yes". Football teams are close knit, so if I have depression and confide in a team mate there's a fair chance he'll tell - in confidence - a few others (not through being vindictive, more just saying: be careful when ye spik to player X, he's got depression). It's a stupid stat. It's the sort of thing you'd expect to see from a consultancy firm who specialise in - in this case - mental health, who want to sell a service to - in this case - our governing body. Or maybe I have trust issues... 

It's the statistic I have issue with. It's a ridiculous stat, which does nothing to help those with mental health issues, just belittles the issue.

 

"That's a Bingo", he says, with a little startled sudden jerk of enthusiasm in his chair.

 

It's pathetic reporting by the BBC, suggesting footballers have got it worse.