EXCLUSIVE: Terry Butcher, 67, was speaking at the screening of ‘Butcher: Invisible Wounds,’ a powerful documentary about his life and and the tragic death of his son in 2017
England hero Terry Butcher has warned of the mental health toll on our stars at this summer’s World Cup.
Terry, 67, was speaking at the screening of ‘Butcher: Invisible Wounds,’ a powerful documentary about his life and career and the tragic death of his son Chris in 2017. The former soldier suffered from severe post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in Afghanistan’s notorious Helmand Province.
Terry, who played in three World Cup tournaments and captained England at Italia ’90, said: “Generally, you have your phone all the time, you look at it all the time and when you look at social media, it affects your day, your character.
“If it is negative then it really hurts. In sport, you have to do well and be successful and if you are not, it is down to you. At a World Cup, the players of yesteryear, we never had as much pressure. In today’s society, it is much harsher and more clinical.”
Terry, who won 77 England caps between 1980-1990, added: “When we were playing, it was not such a long time since England had won it, so the pressure on the team was not as great as it is now.”
Terry said he enjoyed the BBC series ‘Dear England,’ which highlighted the pressures on the England team and manager Gareth Southgate in recent tournaments. Former Three Lions’ stars such as Dele Alli have spoken of their own mental health struggles while playing in the top flight.
On today’s England team, Terry added: “I admire and respect them. On the pitch they have to perform, there is so much pressure on social media these days.
“You need help from others sometimes, not just the coaches and staff around you.” The stars line up to pay tribute to Butcher in the ITV documentary, including Gary Lineker.
The star turned TV presenter recalled the 1989 England international against Sweden when Butcher famously played on with a bandage on his head and blood pouring from a scalp wound. Scotland and Rangers legend Ally McCoist, who played with the England star at Rangers recalled his fierce drive to win.
Terry was surrounded by family and friends as he wiped away tears watching the ITV documentary at a special screening in London’s Courthouse Hotel last night.
He told the Mirror: “It’s tough in places. But the biggest message is that you are not alone in dealing with mental health issues.”
Chris, the eldest of Terry and wife Rita’s three sons, served in the Royal Artillery and struggled desperately after leaving the forces. Next year marks the 10th anniversary of his death at their home in east Suffolk
An inquest found that he died of an ” abnormal enlargement of the heart combined with the this effect of drugs against a background of PTSD. The coroner ruled the 35-year-old “became a victim of war” after tours of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Terry thanked ITV and the charity combat2coffee, whose founder Nigel Seaman suffered PTSD after serving his country for 12 years with the Royal Anglian Regiment. Nigel told the audience that Terry’s work with the charity and his documentary was helping ‘to save lives’.
*Butcher: Invisible Wounds is on ITV4 on Sunday, June 7, at 10pm. www.combat2coffee.co.uk
