Ex-football pro Carlisle reveals at least five PL footballers have 'suicidal' thoughts

Ex-football pro Clarke Carlisle, who is also the chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association, has revealed that at least five Premier League stars are plagued by suicidal thoughts and severe depression.

According to The Daily Star, Carlisle revealed that he had been inundated with calls from troubled stars since he presented a BBC3 documentary about the pressures players can face.

At least two current top-flight players have tried to take their own lives while three others are getting counseling, the report quoted him as saying.

He said that parts of being a footballer are incredibly glamorous with the huge amount of money and success but there were also ups and downs.

Carlisle himself took an overdose at the age of 21 during a 16-year career with clubs including Blackpool, QPR and Burnley and laid bare the mental health problems within the beautiful game in Football's Suicide Secret, which was screened last month, the report said.

Since then he has received calls for help from 30 professional players, including five in the top flight, the report added.

Carlisle, who releases his autobiography this week, wants clubs to take more responsibility for players when they retire or are forced out by injury, according to the report.