Great comparison, even down to the fact that as a general rule of thumb, frontline military and rugby league players will generally come from more 'modest' backgrounds - making it real easy for them to get mixed back in with bad crowds.

It's a tough one though because the individuals have to take responsibility for themselves, although if there were more support/opportunities within the game, I think less would go off the rails.

I know of one ex-super league player, retired early through injury and got a nice big payout through the insurance, and even got money through the benevolent fund. Now this money was meant to be used to secure his future - However, with the 1 constant in his life no longer there to keep him on the straight and narrow, he suddenly found himself with empty days to fill and a large chunk of money available to spend..... Surrounded by leaches and clingers on, guess where all that money ended up.... Up his nose and in the bookies pocket....

I struggle to have any sympathy for that individual, because he made some stupid decisions, and I still see him every now and then, stuck in a rut, wasting his life away. But, that said, I still think the game should have done more with him. He was given the verdict by the docs that he wouldnt play again, and only went back to the club twice after that. The club sorted out his pay off and washed their hands of him - surely it would be better to keep him involved and doing community work/coaching school kids and instead of giving him the lump sum, pay him it in a wage. (Again, I suppose it depends on the individual though)

I agree it's sad that anyone feels this way and struggles to see a way forward but...
A lot of people in the world have to work hard at something they don't like, rather than get paid well for playing a game they enjoy. They often get told they no longer have a job at a moment's notice, never mind coming to the end of a privileged position at a time pretty well known in advance. Why spend a load of money on nursing an elitest group of paid profesional sportsmen through a career change? No-one did it for me when I was made redundant! I didn't top myself. Players in the past didn't either. Terry Newton was an individual and it was an unfortunane incident. The guy I worked with who got sacked and tried to kill himself didn't get this and he was only on about 16 grand a year! Let's have a little common sense here. He was in an incredibably lucky position and he had a personality that didn't allow him to cope. Maybe if he hadn't been a drug user he would have been better off; the drugs may well have helped exacerbate his existing mental health issues. What does annoy me though is that if someone is a so-called celebrity, then suddenly it's a tragedy; when it isn't for the hundreds of unknowns and un-privileged who have to deal with the same issues on a much more frequent basis.

Someone on the payrole at each club to mentor and guide and keep intouch with any player who for what ever reason has his career cut short,or for that matter any player who through age is at the end of his career.

A bit of education while playing helps as well. I know alot of clubs do this now but gives some other skills and interests and options for people to go into when they retire. Like diskin. Given him a motivation and provided him with a fresh challenge when the playing is over

Agree.