Charlton Athletic player Marcus Maddison has bravely revealed that he's considering retirement from football, at the age of just 27, after feeling left 'broken' by the industry.
Maddison has been on loan from the League One club at League Two Bolton Wanderers since January, helping them with their attempt to push back up the leagues.
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On Monday it was announced that Maddison and the club had agreed to end the loan spell, after just 10 games, with the player struggling with life away from his family in London.
The winger took to social media to explain his struggles, revealing he is considering walking away from football completely. "Well the football industry has eventually broke me. All the abuse, pressures & monotony of the last 2 years has just got to me," he said on Instagram.
"I've tried to fit in & be happy but if I can't be happy In a winning team fighting for promotion it's clearly something deeper.
"I'm returning home to think do I want to play football any more as it just doesn't bring me any joy at all. I can't thank Ian Evatt enough for understanding & wish Bolton Wanderers all the best for the final run in."
Maddison started Bolton's game against Harrogate Town on Saturday, a game they won 2-1, but was taken off at half time.
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Explaining that the issues started well before the weekend's game, Trotters' boss Ian Evatt clarified the situation saying, "It has been building. Myself, Marcus and his agent had a really long talk on Sunday about everything. I also had another chat with the PFA to make sure we could get Marcus the best help and support.
"We really hope that football takes a back seat in all this and he gets himself back into a good place.
"It is not difficult to tell, being honest. And if you spoke to Marcus he would say we have supported him all the way through.
"We tried to give him game time, for instance a start on Saturday, to try and rekindle the fire and happiness and obviously it didn't work out. In many ways it made it worse and magnified things.
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"First and foremost we're human and it isn't just about football, it's about people's lives and their feelings. Marcus has had my full support on his mental well-being and he will continue to have my full support, along with Sharon and everyone else's at this football club.
"People need to respect his privacy and wish him well, so hopefully he can get himself back in the right place."
Everyone at SPORTbible wishes Marcus all the best with health and whatever decision he comes to on his future.
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Featured Image Credit: PATopics: League Two, Football, Charlton Athletic, Mental Health, Bolton Wanderers, championship