Danny Haynes – The Changing Room

Danny Haynes

The Changing Room · 2024-09-29

This episode welcomes Danny Haynes to The Changing Room. An Aston Villa schoolboy and apprentice who earned a 2 year pro contract, Danny talks about his struggle with anxiety from a very early age and the respite he gained from alcohol. Danny shares some dark and heartbreaking reflections of his journey as a child and young adult in professional football, which he didn't have the opportunity to come to terms with until his 30s when he finally learned how to grieve his football experience. Now a recovering alcoholic, Danny supports and works with others with addiction issues from a place of experience.

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Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice

The Changing Room

We are dedicated to witnessing and exploring the emotional journey of professional footballers with the aim to provide insight for those outside of the football environment and validation for those within it.

Why? we know there is a a huge gap between the perception and reality of the football journey and this misunderstanding causes hate, resentment and judgement towards players plus loneliness, fear, illness and, even tragically, completed suicide
for some within the game.

The Changing Room is a space to illicit change in that perception. With the help and willingness to be honest in their vulnerability, our guests share their emotional experience of their football journey with the hope this will provide more understanding and compassion, which ultimately will benefit the game, those who enjoy it and those who contribute to it.

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