BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | QPR (original) (raw)

Carlisle is looking for a new start

Queens Park Rangers defender Clarke Carlisle is back in training following treatment for an alcohol problem.

Carlisle underwent soul-searching therapy at the Sporting Chance clinic set up by former England captain Tony Adams, who has also battled against alcohol addiction.

The 23-year-old Carlisle sought help after being axed from manager Ian Holloway's squad last month for going Awol on the eve of a game.

And after being welcomed back with open arms by Holloway - literally - on his return to QPR's Acton training ground this week, Carlisle is looking to make a fresh start.

He admits his drinking seriously affected his performance before he was forced to face up to his problem.

"With the knowledge I have now, I realise it had been affecting my performance for a long time," Carlisle told BBC Sport.

"I had been playing at nowhere near 100%.

"And there was the actual thoughts I was having at the time. At one stage I found I wasn't actually that bothered.

"Then I suddenly had a moment of clarity and thought: 'Clarke, what the hell are you doing?'

"It was when clarity set in that I felt my lowest. To be honest, I was scared.

"What they (Sporting Chance) have done for me is lifesaving," he added.

"It's not the stopping me from drinking, it's the awareness they've created in me about things like my thoughts and my reactions to certain situations.

	He can go on to play in the top flight with the new tools he's been given to deal with the rest of his life

"It was an intense and emotional 28 days, but ultimately very positive and it's helped me address things I needed to address."

Carlisle was an England Under-21 international regarded as one of the most promising players in the country before suffering a serious knee injury in 2001.

He defied the odds to return to action last season after doctors feared he was finished.

Now his career has been saved again, Carlisle is looking to make up for lost time.

"Even though I played well at times last season I was never more than 75%," he said.

"I do believe I can do a lot more than almost anything I've shown in football so far."

Holloway agrees, and is convinced Carlisle can go on to play in the Premiership.

"I've no doubt the guy will go on and have a fantastic career and life," said the Rangers boss.

"Nobody has seen the best of Clarke yet and my message is to watch out for him.

"He can go on to play in the top flight with the new tools he's been given to deal with the rest of his life.

"Clarke's shown bravery and was man enough to face up to his problems. I can only applaud him for what he's done."