AARON LENNON has opened up about his struggle with depression and how his move to Burnley has helped him love football again.
Just over a year ago the England international winger was detained under the Mental Health Act.
Police were called to the M602 motorway on the outskirts of Manchester after receiving reports about a man in a precarious situation.
Officers discovered Lennon, who was then at Everton, in a distressed state before eventually persuading him to go to hospital for assessment for what was later described as a “stress-related illness”.
Following his transfer to Burnley in January the 31-year-old is now enjoying his football again after starting 13 times and helping them qualify for the Europa League.
But the ex-Leeds United and Tottenham star has now opened up about his battle with depression and admits he was in a dark place.
Lennon told The Telegraph: “Probably for the last four or five years, I was not enjoying my football but for the period since joining Burnley [in January], I am really enjoying it again.
“I wouldn’t have said that I’d fallen out of love with football, but I’ve been through long periods of not being involved in the squads.
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“You start getting to that stage where you don’t actually feel like a footballer.
“You train throughout the week and you’re not involved at the weekend, then it becomes difficult. So that was tough.
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“For me, not playing at the end of the week, you’re going home not a happy person and you’re not enjoying it.
“There’s a lot of talk about footballers not caring but I don’t think there are many footballers who don’t get picked at the weekend, go home and are not bothered.”
Lennon almost left Goodison Park for Burnley last summer before the switch broke down – but luckily for him Sean Dyche was determined to get his man.
And the attacker could not be happier that the Clarets boss persevered to push the deal through.
Lennon added: Moving to Burnley is one of the best decisions I’ve made football wise. I’ve enjoyed every moment since I got here.
“It nearly happened in the summer. It was really close and I wish it had because I ended up not playing much football at Everton. Thankfully the manager came in again for me.
“I was in a dark, dark place for a long time and now just waking up every day and getting excited to come to training again and enjoying each day again is massive for me. It’s hard to put into words. The turnaround from this time last year is massive.”
Mental Health Awareness Week starts today. Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide. If you need to talk you can call them on 116 123.
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