Some of the hardest moments in football don’t happen on the pitch.
In my first episode of After The Final Whistle, former Premier League goalkeeper Chris Kirkland opens up about his battle with painkiller addiction, the moment he hit rock bottom, and the long road to recovery.
Chris speaks honestly about the pressures of professional football, playing through injury, and the culture of silence around mental health in the game. He shares what addiction really looked like behind the scenes, the reality of withdrawal, and how he rebuilt his life through routine, accountability, and asking for help.
This is a raw and powerful conversation about life after football, overcoming addiction, and why speaking out matters.
Series 1 of After The Final Whistle is proudly partnered with Johnstone’s Paint, a brand with a long-standing connection to football through the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and a strong commitment to community work.
I also have had the support and training from Samaritans. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can contact Samaritans (UK & ROI) on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org
Chapters:
00:00 Trailer
04:47 – Football, Silence & Mental HealthWhy players struggle to speak up, stigma in the game,
07:46 – Isolation in FootballLoneliness, moving clubs, and hidden struggles even among teammates
10:56 – Opening Up & Reading the SignsWhy men find it hard to talk and how to recognise when someone isn’t okay
13:01 – Pressure, Contracts & PlayingThrough PainFinancial pressure, injury clauses, and the reality for players outside the toplevel
15:04 – How Addiction StartedFrom injury to anxiety, and when use turned into dependence
17:22 – Living with AddictionLying, hiding pills, and the lengths addiction drives you to
19:20 – Rock Bottom MomentThe night that nearly killed him and forced change
21:24 – The Cycle & The Way OutFailed attempts to quit, withdrawal, and why support is everything
23:45 – Why This Podcast Exists (Midroll)Creating space for honest conversations + partnership with Johnstone’s Paint
24:25 – Rockbottom, isolation, on the balcony0:26:32 –Turning point, calling for help0:27:12 –Relapse, lockdown struggles and rehab decision 0:29:03 –Recovery progress0:30:50 –Severity of addiction0:31:10 –Cold turkey withdrawal0:37:02 –Writing the book, purpose0:38:02 –Relief through honesty, Public reaction, support0:40:17 –Advice: talk & seek help0:41:13 –Support lines (Samaritans)0:42:19 –Therapy, opening up0:45:37 –Life after football, routine0:47:10 –Reflection, regret, career0:48:09 –Moving forward, staying healthy0:48:52 – Keytools: talk, exercise, accountability
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