When Wayne Rooney recently revealed his battle with alcohol during his illustrious career with Manchester United, it served as a stark reminder of the unseen challenges even the most successful athletes face. Rooney’s candid admissions, detailing episodes of binge drinking during his peak years under Sir Alex Ferguson from 2004 to 2013, seem like a throwback to a different era. Yet, the issue of alcohol in English soccer remains relevant today.
“I just drank for two days straight, come [into] training and at the weekend I’d scored two goals and then I’d go back and go and drink for two days straight again,” Rooney confessed. “That was a moment in my life where I was struggling massively with alcohol. Massively struggling, and I didn’t think I could turn to anyone.”
The Modern Game: A Business of Well-being
In the contemporary era, soccer has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry focused on excellence. Clubs now employ teams of experts in nutrition, fitness, and mental health to ensure players’ optimal performance. Despite these advancements, Rooney’s story highlights that alcohol problems persist among players. Today, clubs often monitor players’ health meticulously, sometimes even using saliva tests to detect concussions, yet the specter of alcohol remains.
Jeff Whitley, a player welfare executive and counselor at the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), emphasizes that alcohol is still a concern. “Alcohol hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s still there, it’s still accessible,” he told ESPN. “Has it declined from the full extent of the 1990s? Yes, of course it has, but are we still having discussions with players around their relationship with alcohol? Yes, absolutely.”
Statistics and Support Systems
During the 2024-25 English season, the PFA conducted over 1,500 well-being assessments across the Premier League, EFL, and Women’s Super League (WSL), revealing that around 13% of players identified alcohol as a concern. Whitley points out that while players may not party as hard as in the past, understanding their drinking habits is crucial.
“If they’re drinking to excess where they have no off switch or they don’t know how much they’re going to drink or they’re having consequences when they’re out, whether that’s getting into fights or maybe they’ve jumped in the car after four or five drinks, these are the kind of things that I try and highlight,” Whitley said.
The PFA offers Wellbeing Workshops and has a dedicated team providing confidential support, including a 24/7 helpline and access to counselors. Through its partnership with the Sporting Chance Clinic, players can access specialist mental health and addiction treatment. Sporting Chance, founded by former Arsenal captain Tony Adams, offers counseling and residential clinics for athletes dealing with mental health issues and addiction.
Historical Context and Cultural Shifts
The culture of drinking in English soccer was once pervasive. A notorious photograph from a pre-Euro 1996 training camp showed England players in a bar, epitomizing the era’s cavalier attitude towards alcohol. The shift began when Arsene Wenger, upon becoming Arsenal manager in 1996, banned drinking on the team bus and closed the players’ bar.
“A footballer’s body is his work. If he then destroys that with bad habits like drinking, it’s silly,” Wenger stated. “My players will have to change their social habits.”
Former players like Don Hutchison, who played for clubs including Liverpool and West Ham, reflect on the impact of alcohol on their careers. “I do put my head on the pillow every now and again thinking, ‘what the f— was I doing in the early nineties?'” Hutchison said, acknowledging the career opportunities lost to drinking.
Current Challenges and Future Directions
While the game has changed, alcohol continues to affect players, albeit in reduced numbers. New addictions, such as snus and nitrous oxide, are emerging, underscoring the need for comprehensive support systems. Whitley stresses the importance of early intervention and therapy, not just for crisis situations but as a proactive measure.
“There are younger players coming forward looking for help and support now, and that’s a real positive,” Whitley noted.
The experiences of Rooney, Adams, and Hutchison highlight the enduring challenge of alcohol in soccer. However, their stories also pave the way for today’s players to seek help and avoid the pitfalls that plagued previous generations.
