Ex-footballer Clarke Carlisle found 'very unwell but safe' in Liverpool

Former footballer Clarke Carlisle is “very unwell but safe” in a Liverpool hospital after he was reported missing on Friday, his family has said.

Earlier on Friday, police said they were growing increasingly concerned about the welfare of the former Burnley captain, who has a history of mental illness.

He was found in Liverpool on Friday night. His wife, Carrie Carlisle, thanked the public for sharing the missing persons appeal for her husband, telling her Twitter followers “we all owe you a debt of gratitude”.

Carlisle, 37, is a former chairman of the Professional Footballers’ Association and made more than 500 appearances for nine clubs during his playing career from 1997 to 2013.

He told the Guardian last year how he was attempting to turn his life around after he tried to kill himself in 2014 when he stepped in front of a lorry. He said he “should be dead” and felt blessed to have survived, he said.

In a statement posted online last year, he said: “Two years ago today I jumped in front of a truck. One year today I was back in psychiatric hospital. Today I’m away with the love of my life.”

Lancashire police said the former Burnley player was found in Liverpool, and thanked the public for sharing a missing persons appeal.

The force tweeted: “Great news folks. Clarke Carlisle has been found safe in Liverpool. Thanks to everyone who shared our appeal. Have a good weekend.”

Carlisle founded a mental health charity, the Clarke Carlisle Foundation for Dual Diagnosis – a condition that has been described as “mental health problems co-occurring with drug or alcohol misuse”.

He is due to host a mental health awareness evening in Birmingham next week in memory of Nick Mowl, a former Solihull Moors player who killed himself this year.

• In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.