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Liam Coyle is regarded as a Derry City legend. INPHO
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'I was just spiralling, going deeper and deeper' - ex-Derry City star reveals depression battle

At his lowest ebb, Liam Coyle said he considered taking his own life.

FORMER DERRY CITY player Liam Coyle has spoken out about his battle with depression and revealed he contemplated take his own life at one point during his career.

A one-time League of Ireland Young Player of the Year, Coyle was capped by Northern Ireland at international level.

However, after being told he would never play again after suffering a serious knee injury aged 22, Coyle began to suffer from depression.

“I’d gone from all those highs to having the rug pulled from underneath me,” he told BBC Radio Foyle. “Once I stopped playing for Derry City I went on a downward spiral that I just couldn’t get out of for a year and a half.

“I was just spiralling, going deeper and deeper, there was no easy way of getting up every morning and saying this was going to be a different day.”

At his lowest ebb, he said he considered taking his own life, but ultimately changed his mind.

“Then I thought about me mother you know, I thought about what it would do to her and I think that’s what stopped me.

“It’s strange because everybody thinks footballers are these strong , athletic young men with everything going for them but then you look at Gary Speed, you didn’t even see that coming.

“Clarke Carlisle has spoke about his depression for a long time and It just shows it can affect anyone.”

Coyle eventually recovered from the injury and went on to become a Derry City legend.

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If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article, please contact one of the following helplines:

  • Samaritans 116123 or email jo@samaritans.org
  • Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634
  • Console 1800 247 247
  • Aware 1890 303 302
  • Pieta House 01 601 0000 or email mary@pieta.ie
  • Childline 1800 66 66 66

First published at 14.10

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