Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend has revealed how an open and honest conversation with manager Roy Hodgson helped him rediscover his form as he battled personal issues.
Townsend opened up in The Players’ Tribune in December about his past struggles with a gambling addiction, admitting he had hit “rock bottom” before getting caught by the FA – he was fined and suspended for four months in June 2013 – and then subsequently getting counselling.
The England international said that help “not only saved my football career, it also probably saved me as a human being”, and the 28-year-old is now encouraging others to talk as part of the Heads Up mental health campaign.
“I think we’re quite modest in this country, we don’t want to delve, we don’t want to upset, we don’t want to offend anyone, so therefore we don’t really ask.
“Actually we’ve got to be a bit more punchy and say, ‘how are you doing?’ and ‘do you want to talk a bit more about that?'”
:: Fans are encouraged to visit HeadsTogether.org.uk/Heads-Up for tips on how to #KickOffAConversation about mental health.
