Ex-Norwich City player Darren Eadie is planning to open a seaside retreat for depressed footballers after some informal enquiries revealed at least six of his former team-mates are battling mental illness.

Eadie too has suffered with depression and, after reaching out to other former Canaries, discovered that he was not alone and there would be plenty of players keen to get involved in the retreat.

In perhaps the most worrying example cited by the former winger, one former Norwich player was found with a rope tied around his neck by his wife.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Eadie said: “It will save lives. We hope to buy a retreat where players can go to get their minds right, somewhere in Norfolk, near the beaches, secluded.

“We think somewhere that holds a dozen players at a time would be great. From the conversations I’ve already had, we might be full very quickly.

“I’ve been speaking to six players who I played with at Norwich City, who have come to me and said ‘I’m struggling, I need some help’. That’s just Norwich, that’s just scratching the surface. It could be hundreds. One player rang me this morning and said it’s affecting his family.

“Another player’s wife found him with a rope around his neck. He’s OK now. He wants to be involved in the retreat. We’d like to have a specialist on call but the players would be met by former players who have experience of depression, making them comfortable and sharing experiences. It will be open to current and former players.”

In the interview with Henry Winter, Eadie reveals that he suffered from depression and panic attacks after injury forced him to retire aged 28.