' Darcy Blake '

Working on the railway lines now, he was sent to rehab by Palace for drink and drug issues, they then bought him out of his contract for £1.7 million apparently, and he's blown it all on drink and drugs since and is the reason Newport didn't sign him, put on a lot of weight as well apparently, if he can drop a bit of weight Merthyr are going to sign him apparently. Massive shame

Crazy

It's mental to think he kept Rooney in his pocket at Wembley once. What a waster.

Hard to have any sympathy for someone who has set himself up for a career that 99% of people would love to be doing, yet wastes it all.

Feel for him difficult demons drink and drugs, hope he gets through them.

Another sad story of someone who had the world at their feet but got done by the temptations around them. As with Leon Jeanne, I've heard it was the crowd he hung out with that drew him astray. No excuse mind. We have to be responsible for our own actions as adults. Wales will always have another centre back willing to fill the void. Unfortunately, Darcy Blake will only have regrets in years to come.

Sad to hear he could have gone on to better things i feel for hus parents two of the nicest people u could wush to meet gad a great holiday with them a few yrs back

If only his goal stood in the Play offs

I wouldnt want his regrets playing on my mind when he's in his 30s-40s. Its going to eat him up thinking of what could have been. a premier league regular and maybe even playing in the euro finals with Wales if we qualify and he had a bit more discipline about him

Probably have a film made about him.
Last I heard he was playing in North Gwent League.

Probably have a film made about him.
Last I heard he was playing in North Gwent League.

He made the odd appearance for Tredegar apparently didn't he?

Apparently all he would eat is pickled onion monster munch.

What?? Massive shame that Merthyr are looking to sign him??

If so, I agree!

People deserve a second chance, but Darcy is well beyond that, I'm afraid and an absolute wasted talent!

Is there an issue with young working class talent from South Wales being unable to deal with the trappings of a football career?

Darcy, Leon Jeanne, Dai Thomas.

Surely there is not enough financial and psychological advice being given to these lads at an early age.

There are many who have succeeded, Giggs, Bale, Ramsey, Ledley. But I wonder if there is something in their backgrounds that helped them. Giggs got away early, Bale, Ledley and Ramsey had strong family bonds.

Not suggesting the other lads had poor role models it just seems there are an excessive number of players from around here who are wasting their talent and money.

It's mental to think he kept Rooney in his pocket at Wembley once. What a waster.

A total myth.

Wasted Talent.

Still only 26. If he got his act together, and worked altra hard getting into shape over the summer, there's a chance he still could get a gig at a league 1 or even championship club,. He's a decent player......welsh international not so long ago.....use your brain Darcy ffs

if rumours are true quite a few Newport county players got let go recently because of the drinking culture within the club .

what is it with these players ?

most football fans would give there right arm to be a professional football player

Still only 26. If he got his act together, and worked altra hard getting into shape over the summer, there's a chance he still could get a gig at a league 1 or even championship club,. He's a decent player......welsh international not so long ago.....use your brain Darcy ffs

Exactly. So where are his friends or family. Even I'm thinking of grabbing him by the scruff of the neck, watch him 24/7 and get him fit. So surely there is someone closer that can get him motivated.

Is there an issue with young working class talent from South Wales being unable to deal with the trappings of a football career?

Darcy, Leon Jeanne, Dai Thomas.

Surely there is not enough financial and psychological advice being given to these lads at an early age.

There are many who have succeeded, Giggs, Bale, Ramsey, Ledley. But I wonder if there is something in their backgrounds that helped them. Giggs got away early, Bale, Ledley and Ramsey had strong family bonds.

Not suggesting the other lads had poor role models it just seems there are an excessive number of players from around here who are wasting their talent and money.

That's exactly how I see it, sad after all these years of it happening that some still fall through the net and into the traps.

Is there an issue with young working class talent from South Wales being unable to deal with the trappings of a football career?

Darcy, Leon Jeanne, Dai Thomas.

Surely there is not enough financial and psychological advice being given to these lads at an early age.

There are many who have succeeded, Giggs, Bale, Ramsey, Ledley. But I wonder if there is something in their backgrounds that helped them. Giggs got away early, Bale, Ledley and Ramsey had strong family bonds.

Not suggesting the other lads had poor role models it just seems there are an excessive number of players from around here who are wasting their talent and money.

That's exactly how I see it, sad after all these years of it happening that some still fall through the net and into the traps.

Agree, amongst other things a move away would be ideal for Blake, possibly why he tried at Plymouth. Hopefully he himself ends up ok though, if he's able to salvage a football career all the better, but defeating the demons first.

Was outstanding at the back for Wales a few years ago. If he was pain off with a substatial sum from palace then he could have been set for life. Sad to see he has wasted it all if thats the case.

Still young enough to have another go at it though!

Very sad apparently

Still only 26. If he got his act together, and worked altra hard getting into shape over the summer, there's a chance he still could get a gig at a league 1 or even championship club,. He's a decent player......welsh international not so long ago.....use your brain Darcy ffs

Exactly. So where are his friends or family. Even I'm thinking of grabbing him by the scruff of the neck, watch him 24/7 and get him fit. So surely there is someone closer that can get him motivated.

His family and friends ARE the problem.

His family and friends ARE the problem.

That really is a shame.

I'd love to see the club open up their facilities to him just to get some decent support and training.

I know its not that kind of world nowadays but the club would get great credit for this sort of assistance.