When Luke Chadwick made his debut for Manchester United’s first team under Sir Alex Ferguson in 1999, the ex-Red Devils academy graduate was backed to have a bright future at Old Trafford.
However, things didn’t go to plan for the 39-year-old and he had to leave the Premier League giants in 2004. That summer, he joined West Ham United on a free transfer.
Earlier this year, the former Stoke City man admitted the abuse he received for his appearance “affected” his mental death
Former England star Gary Lineker and BBC presenter Nick Hancock, who had then commented about the Englishman’s appearance on comedy show, have already apologised to Chadwick.
“To get it on national TV and in the media, I didn’t know how to deal with it. I thought there was something wrong with me. It affected me so much, and I was too embarrassed to say anything against them. I kept everything on the inside and never said how I was doing at the time,” Chadwick told Dagbladet.
After being subjected to abuse during his time at Manchester United, a move away from Old Trafford in 2004 helped the former midfielder regain confidence.
“As I left United, the spotlight was not on me as much as when I played in a big club. I gained more self-confidence, and it helped me deal with such things,” he said.
“The most important thing was that I learned more about myself, because people said ugly things. But I learned that you don’t have much to take notice of what people say about you, as long as you love yourself and can handle things instead of just having a hard time.
“Then I just said ugly things back – even though I know it’s not right. It’s not the same at school or in the locker room as when it’s on national TV. There was no way to handle it. I sat closest and desperately prayed that my name or face would not appear on TV. My stomach twisted. I felt so bad and depressed.”
Chadwick, who didn’t open up about his struggles whilst at United, has now urged youngsters to reach out for help.
“Do not do what I did. Talk to someone. It’s so hard, because if someone had said that to me when I was 19, I do not think I would have done it. The burden that falls off your shoulders makes it all worth it,” he stressed.
