WEMBLEY WAS A CRY FOR HELP
The Non-League Football Paper|May 05, 2024
JIM Burnside felt numb. Music was blaring, beer was flowing, and everyone was dancing.
George Nash
WEMBLEY WAS A CRY FOR HELP

The changing room was erupting with jubilation. But his mind was elsewhere.

It was May 22, 2022 and United Counties League side Newport Pagnell Town had just beaten LittlehamptonTown 3-0 to win the FA Vase at Wembley. In front of 15,000 fans, and thousands more watching on TV, that sunny afternoon under the world’s most famous arch should have been the best day of Burnside’s life.

Instead, it was one of the saddest.

The celebrations continued into the night but Burnside was nowhere to be seen. He spent the evening alone and, in the morning, checked himself into a psychiatric hospital.

“I needed an intervention,” says the 31-year-old striker. “I was at the peak of my career and lowest point in my life.”

Two years on, Burnside can recall very little from that day. A combination of depression, drug and alcohol addiction, undiagnosed bipolar disorder, and ADHD had by that point left his life at crisis point.

Two weeks before the final, he made what he describes as a semi-serious suicide attempt.

“Voices in my head were telling me I was a cancer and I would infiltrate people’s goodness,” he says.

“It was a cry for help – I don’t think I wanted to die. I just wanted to show people how bad things were.”

The worst, however, was still to come. After spending five weeks at a London Priory facility, Burnside’s 11-year relationship with his partner fell apart.

They had been married just over a year and the divorce sent him spiralling. Burnside admits that in the weeks following the separation he would drive on the wrong side of the road and run red lights hoping to crash.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 05, 2024-Ausgabe von The Non-League Football Paper.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 05, 2024-Ausgabe von The Non-League Football Paper.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL PAPERAlle anzeigen
WEATHER'S ON THE UP
The Non-League Football Paper

WEATHER'S ON THE UP

MARC WEATHERSTONE reckons Welwyn Garden City's togetherness is a big part of their hot start and exactly why he thinks they've got the cahunas if and when the going gets tough.

time-read
1 min  |
November 03, 2024
ROW ARE RAISING A GLASS!
The Non-League Football Paper

ROW ARE RAISING A GLASS!

DIRECTOR of football Anthony Millerick has revealed the secret behind Hartley Wintney's recent upturn in form players staying behind for a beer after the game.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 03, 2024
TOP TEAMS FIGHT TO QUICKFIRE STALEMATE
The Non-League Football Paper

TOP TEAMS FIGHT TO QUICKFIRE STALEMATE

GLOUCESTER CITY and Basingstoke Town managed to keep their respective unbeaten home and away records intact, with both sides refusing to be defeated in a well-fought top-ofthe-table battle.

time-read
1 min  |
November 03, 2024
McKIMM MAKES A GOOD POINT
The Non-League Football Paper

McKIMM MAKES A GOOD POINT

Millers manager takes the draw

time-read
1 min  |
November 03, 2024
WANDERERS LET OFF THE FIREWORKS IN THRILLER
The Non-League Football Paper

WANDERERS LET OFF THE FIREWORKS IN THRILLER

FIREWORKS were on display at Cherrywood Road in a game that crackled and fizzed with plenty of bang for your buck.

time-read
1 min  |
November 03, 2024
EZE DOES IT WITH DAZZLING DISPLAY
The Non-League Football Paper

EZE DOES IT WITH DAZZLING DISPLAY

BOLTON loanee Dubem Eze stole the limelight with a scintillating first-half display, culminating in a stunning strike on the cusp of half-time which effectively wrapped up the points for the Magpies in the battle of the promotion chasers.

time-read
1 min  |
November 03, 2024
SEAGULLS FLY HIGH IN DEFEAT
The Non-League Football Paper

SEAGULLS FLY HIGH IN DEFEAT

WESTON-super-Mare boss Scott Bartlett I was proud of his team's performance, pushing Bristol Rovers to within 25 minutes of penalties.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 03, 2024
BENBOW SENDING OFF HITS THE PICS
The Non-League Football Paper

BENBOW SENDING OFF HITS THE PICS

RUSHALL OLYMPIC manager Adam Stevens pointed Re to the dismissal of striker Luke Benbow as a key moment.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 03, 2024
HEARTBREAK AS SHRIMPER DREAM DIES AT THE DEATH
The Non-League Football Paper

HEARTBREAK AS SHRIMPER DREAM DIES AT THE DEATH

Maher's mad at dramatic collapse

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 03, 2024
TIME TO POPP THE CORKS AS NILE BECOMES A DERBY HERO
The Non-League Football Paper

TIME TO POPP THE CORKS AS NILE BECOMES A DERBY HERO

KETTERING Town ignored the 78 places gap to down local rivals Northampton Town with a stunning performance at Sixfields.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 03, 2024