Fraser Franks On Sobriety, Football And The Father's Day That Changed Everything

Fraser Franks was a Chelsea academy kid. He played 12 seasons as a professional, climbed up through Brentford, AFC Wimbledon, Luton and Stevenage, and ended his career at Newport County with a heart condition that forced him to retire at 28. His last finished game was against Manchester City in the FA Cup.

He takes Dave through it. The shy kid who promised himself at six years old he'd never touch a drop because he wanted to play for Chelsea. The 17-year-old who finally took his first drink and felt the cheer. The careful weekend-only drinking through his career. Then retirement at 28. A wife about to give birth. No idea who he was without football. And a crate of beers in the fridge on a Tuesday night, because for the first time in his life there was no training the next day.

The drinking turned. Hiding bottles in the garden. Walking the dog as cover to nip to the Sainsbury's Local. Working away in hotel rooms because that was the only place he could drink without anyone seeing. A Father's Day breakdown with his wife and mum that finally cracked it open.

Now Fraser is nearly a year sober, works with Premier League clubs on player welfare through his company B5 Consultancy, and is a new ambassador for Alcohol Change UK alongside Dave.

This one is for anyone leaving a career, an identity, or a structure that's been holding them together. Listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow @soberdave for more.

If you want to connect with me via Instagram, you can find me on the instahandle @Soberdave https://www.instagram.com/soberdave/

or via my website https://davidwilsoncoaching.com/

Provided below are links for services offering additional help and advice and for Fraser.

https://twitter.com/Fraserfranks

https://www.instagram.com/fraserfranks/

https://www.asipofsobriety.com/

https://alcoholchange.org.uk/https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice/alcohol-support-services

https://nacoa.org.uk/

Show producer- Daniella Attanasio-Martinez

https://www.grownuphustle.com/

Instagram - @TheDaniellaMartinez