Sheffield Wednesday’s Sam Hutchinson opens up: “I love playing football, I’m addicted…”

Sheffield Wednesday man, Sam Hutchinson, has opened up on his battles with depression, and explained why he thinks he’ll never be satisfied with what he’s achieved.
Sam Hutchinson has spoken about his battles with depression. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)Sam Hutchinson has spoken about his battles with depression. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Sam Hutchinson has spoken about his battles with depression. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Sheffield Wednesday man, Sam Hutchinson, has opened up on his battles with depression, and explained why he thinks he’ll never be satisfied with what he’s achieved.

In a remarkable look into the former Chelsea star’s story, Hutchinson told Charlie Webster about his troubles with mental health, how he came back from his early retirement to forge an impressive turnaround with Wednesday, giving an insight into what it’s like to live as a footballer with depression as part of the English Football League’s collaboration with Mind.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The midfield man is a firm fan favourite at Hillsborough having enjoyed a lengthy spell in Sheffield – with many fans questioning his lack of gametime in recent times – but did not have an easy journey along the way, taking 18 months out before getting back on the field.

In a deep conversation with Webster, the 30-year-old explained that he’s not playing in his preferred position in Sheffield, but would never think about complaining about it because of his love of the game.

Read More
Massimo Luongo’s Sheffield Wednesday restart concerns - “I would never forgive m...

He said, “I play in a position that I wouldn’t even say is my position, but I’ve done it for the last six years because I’ve done a job for Sheffield Wednesday, and that’s where they wanted me to play, and that’s how they needed me to play.

“But I’m not fulfilled in that role, even though I love it, but as long as I’m on the pitch I will never complain about what position I play because I love playing football. I’m addicted to it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I don’t think I’ll find that fulfilment that I desire ever in football, because I didn’t reach where I thought I would.”

Having talked through his ways of coping with his situation, which includes constant exercise and training, the ex-Nottingham Forest man also expressed his thoughts on the potential return of football while the Coronavirus pandemic is still ongoing.

He explained, “You’re trying to rush football back, fair enough, but the people that are playing are still vulnerable to what could happen with COVID-19. There’s some people that have kids, some with elderly nans and mums… My dad had a heart attack last year, so he’s really vulnerable to it.

“It’s a difficult situation, don’t get me wrong, I would go back. Because I want to play football, I’m missing it. I would go back, but there are some people that don’t want to go back, and I don’t think there should be pressure put on people like that.”

Sheffield Wednesday's Sam Hutchinson came through the Chelsea academy... (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Sheffield Wednesday's Sam Hutchinson came through the Chelsea academy... (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Sheffield Wednesday's Sam Hutchinson came through the Chelsea academy... (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hutchinson will see his contract to expire at the end of the current season, and given that the 30-year-old hasn’t played since January under Garry Monk has raised questions about his future in South Yorkshire.

For now though, he is due back at training on Monday as the Owls look to try and get things going again ahead of a possible resumption of fixtures around June 13th.