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Christy Ring
1 Posted 01/10/2021 at 16:34:14
He had so much potential and part of the team of '92, sad to see he retired at 28, and it mustn't have been easy as he said himself being in the spectrum. I'm not surprised Walter Smith ignored him, he got rid of our young talented players Jeffers and Ball, and brought in Dad's Army.
Barry Rathbone
2 Posted 01/10/2021 at 16:55:11
My wife reckons I'm on the spectrum for a whole host of reasons but it can't be so. I doubt I'm the only one who dances and sings Elvis prior to taking the dogs out causing them to bark, fight and charge around the hall like lunatics

No siree bob

Kieran Kinsella
3 Posted 01/10/2021 at 17:07:26
I remember when we signed him it was viewed as a good deal but I barely remember seeing him play. It's a bit like with Paul Holmes, Kenny Sansom, Alec Cleland, Tony Thomas, Marc Hottiger. . . . we seemed to go through an awful lot of full backs who made little impression in those days.
Robert Tressell
4 Posted 01/10/2021 at 17:29:19
I expect that an awful lot of more troubled talents have neurodiversity issues, which then lead to things like under achievement and drink. As we learn and understand more about these things, hopefully fewer will fall by the wayside. We could do with fewer robots and more individuals.
Mike Gaynes
5 Posted 01/10/2021 at 18:07:25
Fascinating.

We who criticize professional footballers for having "attitudes", or being "ungrateful" and "spoiled", or even for having allegedly "sulky" facial expressions, really have absolutely no clue what's going on inside the minds of these complex, pressure-shaped young people.

And the "shut-up-and-play" supporters who openly sneer at the mental and emotional health issues of these athletes serve only to display their own. Ignorance and lack of empathy are themselves emotional illnesses.

I applaud John for his willingness to be so open about his challenges, and for recognizing that despite his natural talent, his place was not on a football pitch. It's great to see he has found a happy and fulfilling life.

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