A Life of Two Halves
This week saw the premiere of the sporting documentary ‘A Life of Two Halves’. Looking at how footballers deal with retirement, the Tongue Tied Media production is now available in the ‘catch up’ sections on the BT Sport app and on BTSport.com.
Tongue Tied Talent’s Fabrice Muamba, who had no choice but to retire in 2012 after suffering a cardiac arrest, takes a look at the physical and emotional effects of career ending injuries in football, and speaks to those who have been affected. The hour long documentary includes contributions from Eddie Howe, Dean Ashton, David Busst & Sam Hutchinson.
“Football is the biggest drug- you want to be part of it. You feel like if you’re not part of it you’re missing out. I’ve been given the chance to live again and I want to be part of it.” Fabrice Muamba: Career ended in collapse on 17th March 2012
“I physically wasn’t able to do what I wanted to do…I felt very alone. It felt like the worst thing, my body failing me, but the reality is it’s given me a chance to do something else.” Eddie Howe: Retired with knee injury 22nd June 2007
“I took down all the memorabilia. I blocked everything out. I would have boarded up my house. For two years I didn’t watch it, I didn’t read about it. I took down anything in the house that was football or memorabilia. From playing in front of millions to taking my child to nursery. All I could think was – how has this happened?” Dean Ashton: Career ending injury 15th August 2006
“If you train to do something your whole life and it gets taken away from you, it’s the worse thing that can ever happen…I love playing football. I gave up once and I’ll never do it again. I’ll finish this game in a wheelchair probably but I’ll be happy doing it.” Sam Hutchinson: Retired from Chelsea 19th August 2010. Came out of retirement 1st December 2011
“I wanted to play. That urge will never leave me. If I see a tackle there to be won I still want to win it irrespective of what will happen to my leg.” David Busst: Career ending injury April 8th 1996
