The Dark Side Of The Beautiful Game

Che Maguire - 19th December 2024

Football. The beautiful game. The best job in the world some may say. From the outside, it may seem this way, being paid millions to kick a ball around may look like the perfect life.

When it’s good, it’s great but when things are not going well in your career or personal life, a player's mental health can be a real issue in their life. Whether it’s pressure from the club or supporters, poor results or performances or just general poor mental health, it has always been a massive issue in the sport at every level from bottom to top.

Mental health in Scotland is a pressing issue, with recent statistics highlighting the extent of the challenge. According to the Scottish Government, around one in four people in Scotland will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives. Additionally, a 2021 survey revealed that 39% of adults reported feeling anxious or depressed, a figure that has increased due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Young people are particularly affected, with the Scottish Youth Parliament noting that 63% of young people felt their mental health had worsened during lockdowns. These figures underscore the urgent need for improved mental health services and support systems across Scotland to help individuals manage their mental well-being effectively.

The lack of support for mental health in Scottish football has been a significant concern, as many players often face immense pressure to perform while dealing with personal struggles. Historically, there has been a stigma around discussing mental health issues, leading to a culture where players might feel they need to hide their feelings rather than seek help. While some progress has been made in recent years, the need for a more structured approach to mental health care in football remains critical, ensuring that players receive the support they need to thrive both on and off the pitch.

Young players specifically will struggle with dealing with pressure especially after maybe not succeeding at academy level and being released, they don’t get much support after leaving a club.

Queen’s Park captain, Dom Thomas said: “You’ve went from your dream to you don’t know where to turn to and i’m not so sure that these players kind of get of looked after. The clubs they’re no longer their employee and that’s really the horrible side of football that if you’re no use to somebody then unfortunately I don’t think that the support is probably as much there from the clubs.

“But I think that could probably be better I think, seeing it myself that’s probably where boys struggle the most when they’ve kind of had a taste for the full time environment and then it doesn’t work out and then it’s where do you go, because a lot of these boys have put their life into becoming professional football players and then it doesn’t work out, aye i think the clubs could possibly do more on that front, but again when you’re not an employee of the club that’s probably their argument that they can’t look after you when you’re not part of the club.”

Professional Scottish clubs often fall short in providing adequate support for mental health among young players, which is a growing concern in the sport. Many youth athletes face intense pressure to succeed, yet the resources available to address their mental well-being are limited. While some clubs have begun to recognise the importance of mental health, there is still a significant gap in structured programs and access to mental health professionals. This lack of support can leave young players feeling overwhelmed and isolated, hindering their development both as athletes and individuals. Addressing this issue is crucial for fostering a healthier environment that prioritises the mental well-being of future talent in Scottish football.

Dom said: “Again going back to the bigger clubs are kind of a business as such so if they’ve got a player that’s not much use to them, that’s not going to make the club any money, erm it’s wrong but I think that’s just how it is, they kind of just see it as they’re no use to them so they don’t check up on them once their released, I think the clubs could do a bit more in the aftercare of releasing a player or whatever it may be.”

Mental health in junior Scottish football is a critical area of concern, especially given the pressures young athletes face. A study by the Scottish FA found that 37% of young players reported experiencing anxiety related to performance. Furthermore, a survey conducted in 2022 revealed that 45% of coaches noticed a decline in their players' mental well-being during competitive seasons. These statistics highlight the need for comprehensive mental health support within clubs, as many young players may feel isolated and struggle to cope with the pressures of the sport. Promoting mental health awareness and providing accessible resources can help create a healthier environment for these young athletes.

Jethy Kinauvuidi, a junior footballer playing under 20s, said: “When I was at St Roch’s and I left, they actually sent me another team to go to but that’s when I wanted to take a break from football like one or two months out but they were active in supporting me find another team, but I have a friend who played elsewhere and he left and they have not said anything when he was or wasn’t playing and I remember him calling me and saying that he’s struggling and he feels a bit depressed and this and that and when he left they didn’t say anything to him and he had to find a team by himself so I think sometimes depending on the team, they need to be more active in supporting on that side of things.

“Another thing that affects players, I used to deal with this a lot was other players actually, when you’re having a bad game or your passes are off a lot of players would be on your case and they’re screaming your name and telling you you’re not good enough and stuff like that, so I think that in the football world needs to change as well.”

Junior clubs have more freedom when it comes to offering support but it still seems that the resources available are inadequate and aren’t able to sufficiently support young players’ wellbeings and this is something that needs to change at all levels from grass roots to the very top. A player’s mental wellbeing should be the forefront of their development but in reality it just gets brushed aside as the clubs are seen as businesses and do not feel obligated to look after the younger crop of players sufficiently.

The clubs and the SFA should be looking at introducing more effective ways to support players’ wellbeing, especially after being released or not offered that new deal they have been chasing.