Clarke Carlisle celebrates arrival of his fourth child

Retired footballer Clarke Carlisle has celebrated the arrival of his fourth child just months after going missing during a battle with mental health issues.

Carlisle, 38, and his wife Carrie announced the birth of their daughter, three months early, today.

The Burnley defender has endured a public and high profile fight with depression and tried to take his own life by jumping in front of a lorry in December 2015.

Clarke Carlisle posted this picture on Twitter of him beaming as he holds his newborn baby daughter

Then in September this year, Mrs Carlisle launched an appeal on social media after he went missing, leaving a suicide note behind.

However, the couple are now looking forward to a new chapter in their lives with the latest edition to their family.

Carlisle posted a picture on Twitter of him cuddling his new bundle of joy in hospital, while his wife shared a tweet thanking midwives for their help.

She wrote: ‘Thank you for your well wishes. 

‘We are so grateful to the team at Royal Preston for delivering our baby 3 weeks early & acting fast to save her when she was born blue & with her umbilical chord around her neck. Please expectant mummies watch out for reduced movement #kickscount’

Carlisle made more than 500 senior appearances during a long career, playing in the Premier League in two seasons and enjoying spells at Burnley, Leeds, Watford, QPR and Blackpool.

Carlisle with his wife Carrie on ITV's This Morning after he disappeared and contemplated suicide during a battle with depression earlier this year

Carlisle with his wife Carrie on ITV’s This Morning after he disappeared and contemplated suicide during a battle with depression earlier this year

He was also chairman of the Professional Footballer’s Association and appeared on popular day-time quiz show, Countdown.

However, while he flourished on the pitch, he has suffered several painful incidents off it.

Carlisle was left in hospital for six weeks, two years ago, when an 18-month long battle with depression saw him try to take his own life.

He spiraled out of control after being told by ITV he was losing his £100,000-a-year Champions League pundit role.

Carlisle went straight to a casino and blew in one night what money he and his wife had and hours later he was charged with drink-driving.

Speaking after being released from hospital in February 2015, he said: ‘I had to die.

‘This wasn’t escaping or running away. This was the perfect answer. It made everyone happy and it ticked every box.’ 

Carlisle battles Jermain Defoe for the ball in 2009

Clarke Carlisle after his suicide attempt in 2015

Carlisle enjoyed a long career with spells in the Premier League while at Burnley and Watford (left, battling former Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defo for the ball in 2009 and right, after his suicide attempt in 2015)

Carlisle then vanished for 40 hours, sleeping rough while planning his suicide. 

He found a spot on the A64, near York, stepped over a barrier and jumped towards an oncoming lorry.

He said: ‘I saw the big truck. There was no rush. I walked up to the barrier, stepped over it casually. The lorry was about 20 yards away.

‘I thought “You’re the one”. I took two steps into the road and then jumped into the truck, like a full shoulder charge. I can remember that impact. Bang. Then lights out. I don’t know how long had passed. It must have been a few minutes.’ 

Thankfully, the centre back escaped with only cuts, bruises, internal bleeding, a broken rib and a shattered left knee. 

Clarke Carlisle, celebrates winning the Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley, in 2009

Clarke Carlisle, celebrates winning the Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley, in 2009

Carlisle was chairman of the Professional Footballer's Association and appeared on popular day-time quiz show, Countdown (pictured)

Carlisle was chairman of the Professional Footballer’s Association and appeared on popular day-time quiz show, Countdown (pictured)

However, tragically, while Carlisle recovered from the impact of the suicide attempt, the driver of the vehicle did not.

Father-of-two Chris Kilbride, 24, was on his way to work when the incident unfolded and was left traumatised by the horrific scene.

He later told the Sunday People: ‘I don’t have any hatred towards him [Carlisle]. He did what he did because he was in a bad place.

‘But the consequences of his actions have now put me in a similar place.’

Mr Kilbride’s body was found at a junction near a golf course in Leeds, during July 2015. His death was not treated as suspicious.

Clarke Carlisle and his wife Carrie on ITV's This Morning, earlier this year

Clarke Carlisle and his wife Carrie on ITV’s This Morning, earlier this year

After his suicide attempt, Carlisle was checked into rehab and had counselling, but his mental health problems appeared again earlier this year.

He went missing in Liverpool in September, sparking a 12 hour manhunt to find him.

His wife woke up to a suicide note – which had been sitting in her email inbox for an hour. 

But thankfully, the former footballer was found after a member of the public recognised him and said his family were worried about him.

While Carlisle’s battle has been well documented, a fellow ex-pro recently revealed that his guidance stopped him from taking his own life.

Former Bordeaux and Norwich City footballer Cédric Anselin  was contemplating suicide said he had reached rock bottom when he rang Carlisle in need of support. 

He told the Guardian: ‘Thank God I thought of Clark Carlisle, a former player who I knew had gone through mental health difficulties. 

‘Immediately he told me: ”You’re not staying alone tonight and you need to stay with someone close and go to the doctor tomorrow first thing.’”

The next morning he went to a doctor and later spent a month in a psychiatric hospital where he got the help he needed to overcome his demons. 

 

 

 



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