Inside the Football Factory: Young Players' Reflections on Being Released
Football is a sport that many young people dream of pursuing professionally, yet the path to success is narrow, and most aspiring footballers experience the harsh reality of deselection. A recent study by Gorman & Blackwood (2023) delves into the psychological and social implications of this deselection process, focusing on identity loss, social isolation, and the struggles faced by players after their football career ends prematurely.
This article attempts to summarise the study’s findings into digestible insights for coaches, clubs, and the footballing community.
Introduction
Every year, many young footballers are released from clubs, facing the difficult reality that they won’t become professional players. This sudden and often brutal exit from the football system leaves many young men feeling lost and unprepared for life outside the sport. The study investigates how these players experience deselection, the impact on their identity, and the lack of support available after they leave the "football bubble."
The research focuses on eight former footballers who were deselected early in their careers. Through interviews, the study explores how these athletes navigated the complex emotions of leaving football and how their identity, shaped by the sport, continued to influence their lives.
Theme 1: “My Identity Was Just Football”
For the majority of young footballers, their sense of self is deeply tied to their role as athletes. From a young age, football dominates their lives, often at the expense of other interests or educational pursuits. The study found that this narrow focus on football creates an identity foreclosure, where young players see themselves as nothing other than “footballers.” This mindset leaves little room for developing alternative identities or interests.
Example from the Study: One participant, Ryan, reflects on how he prioritized football above all else, even skipping social activities, saying, “Everything I was doing in my life was for that. Whether it was missing a party or not going out to a mate’s.” This narrow focus, while common among athletes, leaves them vulnerable when their football career is unexpectedly cut short.
Theme 2: “Exiting the Bubble”
When a player is released, they leave the insular world of professional football, a transition often described as “exiting the bubble.” This departure is experienced differently by each individual, ranging from profound grief and bewilderment to feelings of relief and anger. Some players described the experience of being deselected as devastating, while others viewed it as a release from the constant pressure.
Relief and Anger: For example, one participant, Mark, spoke of feeling a combination of relief and anger after being released: “I don’t really give a fuck…we just went out [and got drunk].” Mark’s disillusionment with football and burnout reflected a deeper frustration with the pressure of the sport. For others, such as Aaron, deselection felt like a weight being lifted: “Thank God I don’t have to deal with that anymore”
However, many players also expressed feelings of loss and confusion after leaving football. Tom described a deep sense of disorientation, asking himself, “What the f#*% am I going to do now?” This sentiment echoed across many interviews, with players describing the emotional and psychological toll of losing their identity as footballers.
Theme 3: “Football Is With You Forever”
Even after leaving the sport, football continues to influence the lives of these players, often in ways that are difficult to escape. Many participants spoke of the lasting identity of being an "ex-footballer," which followed them through life, constraining their ability to embrace new identities or interests. This feeling of being stuck between worlds—no longer a professional footballer, yet still defined by it—creates a complex relationship with their past.
The Struggle to Move On: Jack reflected on how football continued to shape others’ perceptions of him: “The most interesting thing about me is something that I really don’t like to talk about.” For others, like Tom, there was an acceptance that football would always be a part of who they were, but they resisted letting it define their entire identity.
Discussion
The study sheds light on the lasting impact of early deselection on young footballers. The narrow focus on football, cultivated by clubs and the football system, fosters identity foreclosure, leaving players vulnerable to mental health struggles when they are released. Moreover, the intense pressure to conform to a hyper-masculine identity within football clubs complicates their ability to express vulnerability or seek help.
Lack of Support: Many players lamented the lack of aftercare provided by clubs after their release. Participants described the aftercare as “non-existent,” with some turning to alcohol or substances to cope. This points to the need for greater support systems within football clubs to help players transition out of the sport and build a life beyond football.
Key Takeaways for Coaches and Clubs
Foster Multiple Identities
Encourage young players to develop interests and skills outside of football. This can help them build a more rounded identity, making the transition out of football easier if they are deselected.
Prepare Players for Life After Football
Football clubs should offer educational and career support to prepare young athletes for a future outside of professional football. Programs that promote mental health and emotional well-being are crucial.
Provide Better Aftercare
Establish robust aftercare programs for players who are released, including counseling, career guidance, and opportunities to stay involved with the club in non-playing capacities.
Challenge Harmful Masculinity Norms
Football culture often promotes toughness at the expense of emotional well-being. Coaches and clubs should create environments where vulnerability is accepted and where players feel comfortable seeking support.
By addressing these issues, the football industry can help protect the mental health and future prospects of young athletes, ensuring that their time in the sport is a stepping stone, not a trap.