Michael Branch: 'Money can't solve your head'
Former Everton, Wolves and Manchester City player has battled mental health problems.
Michael Branch is hoping Dele Alli speaking out over his mental health issues is a small step towards normalising footballers speaking about their problems.
Dele, in an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap, detailed the emotional trauma he went through as a child, as he discussed a sleeping pill addiction that eventually sent him to a rehab centre in the United States following his unsuccessful loan move to Besiktas.
Former Everton, Wolves and Manchester City attacker Branch, who struggled with his own mental health following his retirement, believes it is crucial these issues are kept in the public eye.
In an interview with Toffee TV, Branch said:
“It’s brave of Dele to come out and say it – someone had to say it. It’s not nice to hear but it needs to be said. It needs to be brought to the public’s attention more – so now that it’s out there let’s keep it out there. There’s more help now, but they’re still only human, they’ll still have their bad days.
“Any other profession, it’d be different, but footballers are treated as though they should turn up and play. They’re not human beings, they’re a footballer. I’ve been guilty of it, and have to check myself. The more we talk about it, we’re learning, the clubs are learning, the leagues are learning.
“Money can’t solve your head – believe me – or your fitness, or your health. We’re all guilty of getting caught up in the moment.”
Branch is now working with Everton in the Community, to help give back to the people of Liverpool.
“It’s difficult. I was walking around the city with blinkers on sometimes. Some of the stuff I see is heartbreaking,” he said. “Everton in the Community – what they do is unbelievable; they’re probably the biggest football charity in the world. People are coming into the programmes who might be new dads, right up to end-of-life care.”
Branch, a keen runner, has also started a new running group based in the city —Social Striders.
Branch explained: “I run a lot now, I know the benefits for me regularly, so I thought it would be good to start a group – no pressures – Sunday mornings, get up early, go for a little run and a talk. No great paces, there won’t be any 5k records getting broken; there’ll just be a jog with some meaningful conversation.
“My runs are non-negotiable now. I need to do my exercise before eight, nine in the morning – get my exercise in. I’ve been injured lately so I’ve been in the gym, which isn’t as great, I’d rather be out running, but it works wonders for me. I’ve been on medication before [for my mental health] but nothing beats running. That’s not medical advice, it’s just what works for me. I just love being out there, something about it gets the endorphins going; sets the day up right. If I don’t, it feels a little bit off.
“There’s something about running, it’s just different. You never regret a run, unless you get injured, but I’ve never come back feeling worse. All you have to do is put your stuff on, a pair of trainers. If you start with a kilometre, it’s still a start. I used to hate running when I played football – in pre-season – and now I’m paying to run marathons!”
Follow Social Striders on Instagram.
By Patric Ridge
