Fair play to the lad for his honesty, only he can turn his career around. Hopefully Sunderland helps him do that and we get the benefit of him giving his all to turn things around.
Welcome to SAFC Aaron, that’s brave mate to tell your story with such honesty. Honesty and working hard, as a supporter that’s all we ask for, to wear that shirt with pride and do your best, there’s a lot of love here in the North East for you lad. Love to you and all of Yours ❤
As a Brighton fan, it was hard to watch someone so obviously piss their talent and career away, but it’s impressive and laudable for Aaron to now face up to that, be honest with himself, and genuinely try to reset and start again. This interview took a lot of courage, respect to him for doing it and best wishes for a fresh future.
Fair play Aaron, it’s very easy for people to criticise, but there isn’t a single person who hasn’t made mistakes. Please don’t beat yourself up, you speaking up will not only help you, but there’s a good chance that you will have helped many other people along the way. I’m a Norwich fan, but I wish you nothing but the best for your career. Good luck.
He has talent to burn. It was blatantly obvious there was something up that was stopping his progression. Still young enough to turn it around and this interview and moving to Sunderland could be the start of it
Heavy drinking is rife in Sunderland, as it is elsewhere in the country. Endemic. People are lost, they don't know God, so they have no self-control. Sad times.
Hull City fan here. You could see Aaron was starting to turn his career around with us - scoring goals and becoming a fan favourite - until he suffered a nasty injury against Norwich and seemingly fell back into old habits. Massive respect to him for being so open about his off-field issues. Hope he has a long, successful career.
You’re not alone with this mate, I’m going through the same thing your an inspiration and if u keep going with us all behind you your gonna shine I promise. Takes guts to do this mate
@@GaryM67-71 He's a current professional footballer that's talking openly about his experience with addiction. Deserves credit for speaking up I feel. It's a human problem. We can all be a bit of a nob end sometimes, just try not to be a complete nob end.
@@GaryM67-71have you watched the interview. Especially at 12 minutes it's very brave. To admit you have everything, but all you really want to do is drink.
He's had the guts to admit he's took the wrong path but that's in the past We need to get right behind him & give him the love & support to make him wanted again
Potentially one of the best videos released by the club. Hats off to the lad for putting this out there. Take away the football, health is the most important thing. Bringing the football back in, we could have a class striker on our hands here!!!! Looking forward to seeing him play!!
FairPlay to him. He had a tough time at Boro from the fans. It must be tough sitting down and doing this as I haven’t seen many players playing doing this. Hope he kicks on and gets his career back. Sunderland are a big club and I being a Middlesbrough fan can admit that. He probably won’t get a better club and opportunity at this point in his life
Not every alcoholic drinks 24/7 some just binge now and then and don’t think they have a problem it’s realising it admitting it then getting sorted out well done son your at the right club fire those goals in you will be adored by 40000 👏👏👏
I’ve been in a similar situation having poor mental health and using drink as a way of coping but instead just putting the burden onto others, making my family worry when I’m out, embarrassing myself and friends in front of their friends, pissing people off and not realising and giving myself a poor reputation which pissed me off when I was sober. Where now that I have my mental health under control I can go out and enjoy a drink as well as enjoying the company of the people around me and enjoy myself without going too far.
I don't get emotional very often, but from the depths of his turmoil I truly believe Aaron Connolly will defeat his demons. I know there's very good player in there; I also know the Sunderland fans will get behind him.
Hats off to him, he's realised that he's made mistakes and has opened up to them something that is not easy to do. All he can do now is get his zest for the game back and he's come to the biggest and best club in the world in order for him to achieve that. Onwards and upwards and he's to watching you score goals and help the lads get us back to where we belong the Premier League. All the best
I got to know him during his time at Boro, he was in a club I worked in quite a lot. You could see he was in a hole and his football was suffering. It’s nice to see him doing better.
Every time you feel down Aaron, just remember the Sunderland fans…. They all want you to do well and will support you all the way. Keep your chin up, and throw yourself into the games….you won’t go far wrong..
Can't think of a more courageous interview done by a current player. Absolutely brutal in his honesty. Right behind you Aaron and wishing you every success!
Quality footballer Aaron. Please God he's found the club that will get the best out of his talent. He's from a great county in Galway and now he's with one of the great English football clubs.
Wen I met him at the academy , I warmed to him straight away . He's a nice lad and speaks from his heart . We will support you all the way at safc . 👍😁
When Sunderland signed him, pundits on BBC radio Newcastle said he had a bit of a reputation but didn't know why. It takes real courage to come out and tell your story and Sunderland fans and club will be beside you every step of your journey. May God bless you and give you strength. Menace to sobriety is a good podcast to listen to.
As a Brighton fan, I wish you every success Aaron. Thank you for speaking out, I really hope this can take the shame out of young men asking for help and spiralling. Wishing you all the best for a long and successful career, thank you Sunderland for taking Aaron under your wing, hopefully he can help you in your promotion chase 🔵⚪️🔵⚪️
I thought at a glance it was Patty Roberts in the thumbnail and for a second my world came crashing down around me. But in all seriousness, Aaron has my full support, keep fighting hard, You've done amazing work to even get to this point, just keep pushing, we all have nothing but love for you brother
One of my favourite memories as a BHA fan is that Spurs game. He was a machine. Was always so sad to see the lifestyle take ahold of his football, but after an interview like this I think AC’s influence on the football world will be much more important than goals. Addiction is so difficult, huge respect to him for being so brave and sharing his story, all in the name of helping others. Huge W. Now get back to that left half space where you belong 🫡🔥
Coming from a mackem, the city is gripped with drink, the honesty will go far, bag goals to win games the fans will back you. Takes balls to talk, takes bigger balls to do that publicly. Everyone has a past but as a baller pitch events speak more. You have a fanbase who will love you, support you. Best wishes New chapter onky you can write! Haway the lads!!
Well done to Sunderland for publishing this and most of all to Aaron for being so honest. I hope you get back into the premiership with Sunderland and show the world your talent. Best wishes
I know what you're going through mate, been there and it's not easy, just take it day to day, there's a grand set of lads, and a great crowd rooting for ya and you'll get through this, Best of Luck Mate,,,,,,,,,
Great interview on both sides of the microphone. Incredibly brave candour on display from this inspirational young man. Hope for your sake and for that of my beloved club that this is the start of a fantastic chapter in your life story. If you put in a shift at this club the fans will adore you as they have other legends ( Quinn, Phillips, Ball, Bennett, O Nien etc) 🤞🤞
Really brave to come out and do this video .wish him all the best with us at Sunderland.continue to make youre family proud mate, and im sure all of Sunderland will get behind you...
Brave Young Man! I wish him all the best and as a Sunderland supporter I want him to do well for us, but bigger than that I hope he gets his life back and turns it around.
Fair play Aaron, great interview. Very honest and can see he has that ambition back again. Bags of potential and definitely more to give with this Irish team in the future 💪 🇮🇪
Honestly so happy to see people like Aaron speaking about this drinking in the UK is glorified and people don’t really take the time to look through the drink and actually think about what that person is going through please if you are out with your pals in the pub and they are not ok please just listen to them don’t feel like your a coward for talking about it so much respect from Aaron connelly for talking about his mental health and wish him nothing but the best for his career ❤❤
Well done Aaron takes courage to speak so openly. Hope to see you back in the Ireland squad soon. Good luck with Sunderland seems like a brilliant club.
We loved him at Brighton. Broke into the 1st team, chased everything and scored those goals against Spurs and we thought what a talent. But as he says, we could see he suddenly stopped chasing and his movement just wasn't there. Brave man, glad you are facing your demons. You are still a young man. Work hard and show us all and most importantly you what you are capable of.
What a powerful interview. I truly hope he continues to be supported out of his addiction (he will need it) and gets a chance here in the 1st team, then goes on to score double figures for us this season. Good luck Aaron
I am glad he saw the signs and made the change. He could see his future and it was not what he wanted. He made the changed to get where he wanted to be. The road can be difficult and easy to stumble off of. Aaron, take care and never be afraid to ask for help. All of Sunderland’s fandom wants you to be a success.
admitting it is a massive step for someone addicted to alcohol, anyone who’s had to deal with a parent with a addiction knows how much it takes it’s toll on others around you, getting the help he needs is massive i hope he comes out stronger and back to his normal self ❤
Fair play to Aaron for doing such an open and honest interview. Focused on getting back on track and being a success, and at 24 he can still be a top player, why not it being in a Sunderland shirt in the Premier League! All the best Aaron. 🔴⚪️
Fair play Aaron, that took some balls to come out and do that. Keep your head down work hard and you could be our next Super Kevin Phillips. Good Luck lad.
Good luck marra, you can get back on track and more if you stick in here. It's a class place to play football if you really want it. On to better times, I respect your honesty.
Fair play young man. Honesty is always the best way with addiction. You need to let your ginger hair shine also and not hide it. Keep your head up and take it one day at a time.
What a wonderfully honest and authentic opening up about a subject that so many deny and suffer in silence about. By Aarons brave sharing so many who are suffering in the dark will benefit. It will give courage to so many to address this life debilitating disease. Well done Aaron you will never know how many you have helped by your opening up. Wishing you well and continued recovery
He’s remarkably mature due to his experiences for a 24 year old. I know you may not read this but keep moving forward Aaron, you’ll be proud of yourself in the future, good luck my friend.
Fair play aaron. The talent is there my man. Get the head down and please god we see you back in an ireland jersey soon 🇮🇪. 🙏 Your best years are ahead off you 🙌 🙏
Absolutely brilliant interview. You can tell the pain he's faced and dealt with. He may not feel like it, but he should be proud he has faced up to his demons and he's meeting them head on. One thing is for certain, when he comes on the pitch for his first minutes in our shirt, he will receive the warmest, loudest reception he will ever experience. If you do see this comment Aaron, go well and play your heart out for this club and you will not be alone in your fight against addiction. KTF
Very honest. Come on Aaron, great opportunity for you up here at Sunderland. Get stuck in, enjoy your football and the adoration from fans will be on another level.
Well done for speaking out. I play football, I box and own businesses. I’m going through addiction myself. It’s a hard battle and a lot of people don’t understand it.
Stick in lad, we all hope you crack it and kick on. Work hard for us and you will be respected by the best fans in the land. SAFC cult hero incoming ;)
