“I think the hardest conversation I ever had was when my wife said she didn’t really know me.”
Preston North End defender Jack Whatmow has opened up about his struggles with alcohol and gambling while his career has been sidelined by injury.
Whatmow suffered three serious knee injuries in four years at Portsmouth, where he began his professional career, before moving to Deepdale in 2023 after making more than 100 appearances for Pompey in nine years.
“I had three big injuries close together and I was young and too naive to understand what I was going to go through, what my body was going to go through and more importantly how my mind was going to react when the football was taken away from me. Whatmown said One on One podcast.
“I’ve suffered quite a lot and football is a big buzz for us athletes so when that goes away you start looking for it in a different way.
“I learned that, but probably when it was a little too late.”
The now 28-year-old spent 17 months on the sidelines after picking up his first injury, but admitted problems didn’t start to arise until later in his career as he rushed to recover and picked up bad habits while at home.
Jack Whatmow (left) joined Preston in 2023, having previously played for Portsmouth and Wigan
“I was in a brace so I didn’t move my knee by bending or straightening it. It was only locked for three months,” he added.
“I was doing things that were so immoral for me. I was gambling and drinking more than ever and I’m not a heavy drinker, so that’s when I knew something was wrong and I sat down with my wife spoke to him.
“I think the hardest conversation I had was when my wife said she didn’t really know me.”
Although the support of family and friends was necessary, Whatmown revealed that he only started to make real progress after applying to the Professional Footballers’ Association for regular meetings.
“There were a lot of routes you could go down but the one I used was the PFA and I sat down and spoke to them,” he said.
“It was more just understanding why I felt the way I did and how I could change what I was doing.”
Whatmown would continue to have hour-long sessions for up to 10 weeks, where he opened up for the first time about the problems he was dealing with as he struggled to get back to full fitness.
Whatmow now makes it her goal to help others with similar problems
Geoff Wheatley, who is part of the PFA’s welfare department, also spoke One on One podcast about the work they are currently doing with players.
“One of the things we’re really, really pushing forward is education, wellness, industry ups and downs,” he said.
“We’re not second-guessing what players are really struggling with at the moment. It really helps us, then we can see what services we’re actually providing and what support is needed.”
His ability to communicate openly with others has since equipped him with the necessary coping mechanisms to deal with previously problematic situations in the future, and he now aims to help others who are experiencing similar problems.
He continued. “Talking is a big thing and being open and using the people around you.
“I think there’s a big stigma and ego that blokes have to be brave and not need help. One of the best things I ever did was get help and now I’m happy to talk to someone and I open up.
If you’re worried you’re drinking too much, there’s support. Learn about your options.
If you are affected by the topics in this article, please visit GamCare:The UK’s leading provider of free information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling.
