Article: published on 30 August 2024

A former Premier League footballer has spoken out about his battles with mental health and the pressures of the game.

Ipswich Town club legend Jason Dozzell has written an autobiography taking in his childhood, playing career and struggles off the pitch.

The Ipswich-born midfielder, who also played for Tottenham, Northampton Town and Colchester United, holds the record as the top flight’s youngest goalscorer, having scored on his debut, aged 16 years and 57 days.

On his struggles, Dozzell, 56, told the BBC he felt the need to “keep it inside and have to deal with it as a man".

Dozzell came off the bench to make his debut for Ipswich and score in a 3-1 win over Coventry City in February 1984.

"Psychologically, I wasn’t ready," he said.

"Sometimes I felt like a prisoner to that goal. The expectation after that goal was massive on me.

“Professional football is much more than just turning up on a Saturday; there is a lot of pressure that goes with it.

“You need the tools to really understand that pressure, and a father figure... this isn’t a violin story but it did feel like there was something missing."

Dozzell's own father had been absent through his childhood, moving to the United States when he was young and only getting to know his son in adulthood.

Dozzell played more than 400 games for Town, and is in the top 10 for both appearances and goals scored for the Tractor Boys.

A low point for the player came in 2019 when he admitted drug-driving.

He now works for the Ipswich Town Foundation, external, as both a coach for the Post-16 programme, and participating in events such as the weekly walking football session, held on the artificial pitches next to Portman Road.

Dozzell said his work had helped him cope with the mental health struggles he had since leaving the game, while also giving back to the community.

"When I walk from my home through town, back to Portman Road, it takes me back to my childhood," he said.

"They were happy, happy times and it makes me feel good coming here and wearing this badge."

The walking football sessions are designed to allow older people to enjoy the competitive nature of football without the physical intensity.

Participant Noel Gleeson said: "Walking football is difficult; it's hard not to run.

"But [with a] false knee, false hip and metal in my back, and I can still get around a pitch and kick a ball. I love it."

Mark Nightingale said he also loved playing.

"I meet new people, and it keeps me a bit fit," he said.

"I’ve known Jason for a long time, and he's a great guy. It’s lovely to see ex-players like Jason here."

Chris Wyer, another participant, joked: "There is some really good talent here - Ipswich could learn a few things from us.

"We’re on the verge of the first team squad."

Dozzell said writing his autobiography was almost like therapy.

"If the book helps one person struggling with mental health who needs it, it will be worth it," he added.

His co-author, journalist Stuart Watson, said Dozzell had been "so open and honest".

"As men, we don’t talk about our feelings or our struggles like we should do," he said.

"Jason is a prime example of how bottling things up for too long can come to a head.

"If it can encourage one person to come forward and encourage them from going down a difficult pathway, then the book would have been a success."

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