Chris Kirkland – Professional Footballer’s Story

Inspirational Speaking and Talks re: Mental Health in the Workplace

Chris has reached the pinnacle of professional football playing for the national team, England, and clubs such as Coventry City, Liverpool, Wigan, Sheffield Wednesday and then for Preston before retiring.

After experiencing problems with his own mental health Chris has decided to tell his story and help employers and employees cope with mental health in the workplace.

Thousands of days are lost in the work through mental health and Chris feels that the more understanding, patience and listening to people like himself on how to cope with mental health then the better for employers and employees alike.

A Short Biography

• Chris started his professional career for Coventry City youth team and made his debut for the first team at age 18, coming on at half time, in the Worthington Cup.
• Liverpool FC signed Chris for a British record fee, at the time, of £6 million rising to £9 million, on transfer deadline day 2001.
• Played for Liverpool until 2006, then transferred to Wigan Athletic.
• Wigan Athletic 2006 – 2012 winning player of the year awards.
• Sheffield Wednesday 2012 – 2015 produced some great form.
• Preston North End for one season 2015 – 2016.
• Retired from professional football in 2016.
• During Chris’s playing career his performance level was good enough to play for the England national team.

 

Chris played at Liverpool for five years before moving on to Wigan Athletic where it was probably his best time, performance wise, winning player of the year awards.

After Wigan Chris joined Sheffield Wednesday where he had a big return to form and struck up a brilliant relationship with the Owls fans. He left through his own choice in 2015 to move to Preston.

Spent one season there before retiring for personal reasons.

Chris says “I’ve played with and against some of the best players in the world such as Steven Gerrard, Christiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Alan Shearer to mention a few.”

“Gordon Strachan gave me my professional debut in football and along with Gerard Houlier and Steve Bruce they are managers I have the most respect for.”

“I’ve been lucky to play in Champions League matches for Liverpool away at Galatasaray being the most ferocious and loudest atmospheres I’ve played in.”

“But the game against Olympiakos at Anfield in the quarter final of the Champions League, which we had to win by 2 clear goals and after being 1-0 down at half time we won 3-1 with Steven Gerrard scoring that famous goal in the last couple of minutes, was the best match I’ve played in.”

“Two saves that I’ll always remember was one for Wigan at Chelsea against Nicholas Anelka and one for Liverpool against Galatasaray away.”

“I stopped playing because of my mental health being at a bad stage but through help from the PFA and my family I’m now in a great place to be able to do talks and help other people and companies cope with mental health in the workplace.”

Chris’s successful career in professional football playing at International, Champions League and Premier League level has been achieved though hard work and dedication but what people don’t realise is that Chris had to manage his mental health in the latter part of his career.

From being in a privileged career and being in the spotlight for many years Chris feels that he has something to offer the work place in helping companies cope with employees mental health and in turn helping individuals cope with their mental health problems.

For details on how to book Chris to help in your work place contact us on 01283 260020 or phone Andy on 07590 200521.