Millionaire Football Stars Dating Models & Driving Ferraris Being Offered Counselling

For, despite life in the fast lane, Premier League idols can get the blues.Stoke City is leading the attack on depression by offering all its players advice from top mental health experts. Stoke�s squad includes super-rich England striker Peter Crouch, 31 � married to model Abbey Clancy, 26 � and Michael Owen, 32. The Potters � whose players earn an average of �22,000 a week � launched their initiative after former striker Vincent Pericard retired at 29 following years battling depression. The former France international said moving to England to play football had left him �very lonely�. He added: �I think loneliness is one of the major factors in my career. �I left my family and friends to go to a different country where I couldn�t speak the language.� He warned: �More has to be done to help players � particularly foreign ones � not to repeat my mistakes.� Vincent set up Elite Welfare Organisation which offers footballers the chance to speak to doctors, psychologists and other experts. The stars can be counselled at home or in a private Cheshire retreat. The Frenchman will work with retired footballer Leon McKenzie to urge players to discuss their problems. Leon, 34, who played for Norwich and Peterborough, has admitted taking an overdose when in a �very dark place� after an injury. His dad found him semi-conscious and he returned to training the next day. But Leon insists it is �wrong� for players to suffer in silence. He said: �I was in a place I wouldn�t wish on anyone. I had three beautiful children, my wife and a great family behind me � but I lost sight of that.� One in four people has mental health problems. Footballers including Paul Merson and Paul Gascoigne have admitted suffering from depression.