Health · Healthcare & Policy · 3 hrs ago
Stephen Warnock says he hid seizures from Liverpool as a youngster
Stephen Warnock says he hid seizures from Liverpool while he was a youngster in the club’s youth setup.
The former defender feared the club would release him if it knew he had a health condition.
He says he had seizures for about three years, including one at school that left him waking up in hospital with no memory of what happened.
Warnock had CT and MRI scans, but says he has not had a seizure since age 14.
He later made 67 appearances for Liverpool and played for other clubs, including Aston Villa and Leeds United.
His account matters because it shows how fear of losing a place can keep a young player from speaking up about a health problem.
Warnock, now a football pundit, says this is the first time he has spoken publicly about the experience; no further steps are described.
Stephen Warnock says he hid seizures from Liverpool as a youngster because he feared the club would release him.
The former defender experienced seizures for about three years and says he has not had one since he was 14.
He says his first seizure happened at school and he woke up in hospital after blacking out.
Warnock underwent CT and MRI scans after experiencing another seizure at home.
He made 67 appearances for Liverpool and retired from football in 2018.
- Who
- Stephen Warnock, a former Liverpool defender and football pundit.
- What
- He says he hid his seizures from Liverpool because he feared being released.
- When
- As a youngster; he says he has not had a seizure since he was 14.
- Where
- At school and at home; he was a youngster in Liverpool's youth setup.
- Why
- He feared the club would release him if it knew he had a condition.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Warnock experienced his first seizure at school and woke up in hospital after blacking out.
He experienced another seizure at home and was sent for CT and MRI scans.
Warnock says he experienced seizures during this period.
Warnock says he had his last seizure.
Warnock retired from football.
- Liverpool appearances
- 67
- Seizure period
- About three years
- Last seizure
- Age 14
- Scans
- CT and MRI
- Retirement
- 2018
2 sources
What people are saying
I was petrified of telling Liverpool because I was worried of being released
I was worried about being on the pitch and it happens. There were no triggers for me, I never knew what triggered it. That was what petrified me.
I was at a computer and then I woke up in a hospital bed. And I was like 'wow, how have I got here?'. I didn't remember anything, I completely blacked out
I was in a fortunate position where I grew out of it