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Caulker 00:07 - Apr 26 with 12680 viewsdaveB

Caulker been on Under the cosh this week
Interesting pod, talks a lot about his gambling and drink issues
Few bits on QPR and Redknapp

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Caulker on 16:14 - Apr 26 with 3626 viewsNorthernr

Caulker on 16:13 - Apr 26 by Padulas_Shampoo

He certainly didn't come across how I assumed he would. He's actually very articulate and doesn't expect any sympathy for his own poor actions nor the troubles he's faced. He also spoke fairly well about QPR which shocked me as he was here when the club was a complete mess and offered absolutely no platform for success really.

I found the Rowan Vine episode pretty hard to listen to as it accentuated and glorified a footballing stereotype of a sort of lad culture of boozing, gambling and generally squandering riches which the others of course found hilarious. It almost seemed he hadn't matured a day since his 15th birthday and was somehow proud of that. This one wasn't like that at all. I don't sympathise with what Caulker has wasted but I absolutely do sympathise with his demons.

There's a bit of a trope within English football that Arsene Wenger completely turned it on its head in terms of fitness and professionalism. I don't doubt British footballers are much better athletes now than they were 25 years ago but I don't think they're any more prepared for their inevitable fame, money and attention. Someone like Caulker who had all the talent to become a mainstay for the national team but whose career largely went down the drain is testament to that.


Yeh the Rowan Vine one shouldn't have been aired in my opinion. Think it's the only one in the history of the pod they had to cut a chunk out for legals as well - at the point you're doing that in the edit it's probably time for a discussion about whether you just bin it altogether. The whole thing was a brutal listen.
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Caulker on 16:27 - Apr 26 with 3596 viewsDorse

Steven Caulker: the footballing man's Peter Andre.

'What do we want? We don't know! When do we want it? Now!'

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Caulker on 16:39 - Apr 26 with 3567 viewsdaveB

Caulker on 16:07 - Apr 26 by Northernr

No, fair, absolutely agree with you, good post and good points.

I'm just slightly cynical about him because a big media appearance like this about all the lessons and improvements he's learned and made and how he's been off to Sierra Leone and discovered himself again comes out around this time every year, coincidentally just as his latest contract is expiring and he needs another one.


It was more about lack of support than opportunities. Would agree he's never been short of contract offers most of the time and he has himself to blame for a lot of his issues.

He spoke about telling Koeman at Southampton he was struggling and answer was work harder on the pitch which didn't help and he didn't really blame Koeman for this as he was saying managers don't really know how to deal with this kind of thing
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Caulker on 16:40 - Apr 26 with 3564 viewsNorthernr

Caulker on 16:39 - Apr 26 by daveB

It was more about lack of support than opportunities. Would agree he's never been short of contract offers most of the time and he has himself to blame for a lot of his issues.

He spoke about telling Koeman at Southampton he was struggling and answer was work harder on the pitch which didn't help and he didn't really blame Koeman for this as he was saying managers don't really know how to deal with this kind of thing


I'll give it a listen on my runs next couple of days and then come back to you mate, maybe I'll mellow too...
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Caulker on 17:07 - Apr 26 with 3514 viewsPinnerPaul

Caulker on 08:29 - Apr 26 by daveB

good to see conclusions made without watching it


Not sure you need to watch it to confirm some of the points mentioned on here.
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Caulker on 18:32 - Apr 26 with 3380 viewsnumptydumpty

Caulker on 16:39 - Apr 26 by daveB

It was more about lack of support than opportunities. Would agree he's never been short of contract offers most of the time and he has himself to blame for a lot of his issues.

He spoke about telling Koeman at Southampton he was struggling and answer was work harder on the pitch which didn't help and he didn't really blame Koeman for this as he was saying managers don't really know how to deal with this kind of thing


I think the cynicism in me is brought on by the fact before every new contract Caulker has ever signed, the spiel put out in the media is "I have made a lot of mistakes in the past but have truly learned from them" etc and they are quoted as Caulkers own words so perhaps every time he starts somewhere new he may not be offered help initially because he says he has beaten his demons.

To be fair though there is so much more in place in all industries for people struggling with stress, anxiety, depression and addictions also.

Much more so than 20 years ago.

It's more mainstream and Caulker knows all about Gamblers Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous and a quick Google search by him would inform of local charities offering support which there are many.

Also if he was struggling and management would surely know of his issues, I find it difficult to believe an organisation would be not signposting help for him and in particular with an employee on 55k a week. That's difficult to believe even in the mad world of top level football.

And there are organisations such as that set up by Tony Adams, Sporting Chance dealing with all these issues for people who make their livings in sport.

He says there was no support but doesn't elaborate. I can't believe not one person at all football clubs would not put him in touch locally with correct help.. I believe it's more to do with him, not being totally honest with his own ability to engage wholeheartedly with the support around rather than actually none being around.

Which as stated there is a lot these days if people actually serious about tackling their troubles.

Sadly I think this man is never going to control his addictions.

A close friend of mind has had these type problems for long periods and still today, he thinks he can control it on his own but the relapses are ever present and yes with him also its the gambling addiction which is way more destructive than the drink ie long lasting consequences and the pretending its under control when it really really isn't.

But recovery and abstinence is always possible. It's just the person wanting to be gambling and drink and drug free and fully committing.

It's definitely a tough road ahead though.

Walking in a "Mackie Wonderland"
Poll: Where will we finish next season ???

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Caulker on 19:11 - Apr 26 with 3313 viewsPunteR

Caulker on 16:39 - Apr 26 by daveB

It was more about lack of support than opportunities. Would agree he's never been short of contract offers most of the time and he has himself to blame for a lot of his issues.

He spoke about telling Koeman at Southampton he was struggling and answer was work harder on the pitch which didn't help and he didn't really blame Koeman for this as he was saying managers don't really know how to deal with this kind of thing


The lack of support? .
The geezer spunked £250,000 in one night gambling. That's life changing money for about 99% of the world population.
He gets zero sympathy from me.
But tbh ,I don't think he's looking for sympathy either, as Clive pointed out his contracts up soon.
Hes just squeezing evey last drop he can out of football.
[Post edited 26 Apr 2023 20:01]

Occasional providers of half decent House music.

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Caulker on 19:36 - Apr 26 with 3281 viewsHooping_Mad

He's having more therapy than he's admitted, I know he a member of 'Cheese Unconsious Non-intentional Thieving Suspects'

2 mins into Rowan Vine pod and I've already locked my doors and windows.

Chairman of the Junior Hoilett appreciation society

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Caulker on 19:59 - Apr 26 with 3257 viewsPunteR

Caulker on 16:03 - Apr 26 by PhilmyRs

That's sort of missing the point though isn't it? Is just giving someone a contract/job sufficient? or do you have a duty of care and responsibility to help with their welbeing as an employer of yours? Caulker was paid money the rest of us can only dream of and was able to pick up jobs regularly, does that mean he can't criticise the lack of care/support he received while working in those jobs? The guy has gambling and drink demons that way exceeded what I thought, and if people in the game knew about these but didn't offer support then I think that's quite shameful.


Why is it his employers duty to make sure he turns up for work ?

Occasional providers of half decent House music.

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Caulker on 21:04 - Apr 26 with 3174 viewsdistortR

Caulker on 19:59 - Apr 26 by PunteR

Why is it his employers duty to make sure he turns up for work ?


Poor bloke, let down by every employer...............
No time for people who won't take responsibility for their own actions, whatever they say.
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Caulker on 14:08 - Apr 28 with 2824 viewsnumptydumpty

on 01:00 - Jan 1 by



Indeed.

Any person with addictions, is very aware there are national organisations such as Gamblers Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Not buying that Caulker is not aware of such organisations.

And if you are constantly given £60 k per week long term contracts and you become unwell, I would say in all reality those kind of issues are NOT at the door of the employer to address. Ie if you paid so handsomely, the employees side of the contract is to be the best employee possible.

Down to Caulker himself .

The employer can put him in touch with talking therapies and groups.

But Caulker moaning about all the top teams he had the privilege of representing him not supporting him - smacks of not my fault guvnor !!!

I am all for helping employees , particularly those with mental health or addiction issues, but the individual HAS to take responsibility and their recovery is all about ENGAGING with support.

Caulker says all these top teams offered him nothing and didn't inform him of his local support group.

TOTAL CRAP !!!

I am not against this kind of problem as an issue though.

Clarke Carlisle has had similar issues but was very self critical of himself and did seek help himself. Whether it's helped long-term, I not know but he didn't present as Caulker has on here, blaming others.

A Career wasted in terms of achievement but rewarded financially in the extreme.

You got to ENGAGE and TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY Mr Caulker !!!

[Post edited 28 Apr 2023 14:16]

Walking in a "Mackie Wonderland"
Poll: Where will we finish next season ???

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Caulker on 14:14 - Apr 29 with 2659 viewsMedwayR

Just watched. Doesn't seem to realise that the common denominator in all his troubles is him and he's the one responsible. Blaming it on drink etc but it was him at the centre of it all, even at the start of the podcast he says he'd prefer to play in the 'old school' culture of football so clearly has no regrets, doubt he's learnt much from his 'experiences'.

Poll: Who’s better?

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Caulker on 14:22 - Apr 29 with 2625 viewsdistortR

Caulker on 14:14 - Apr 29 by MedwayR

Just watched. Doesn't seem to realise that the common denominator in all his troubles is him and he's the one responsible. Blaming it on drink etc but it was him at the centre of it all, even at the start of the podcast he says he'd prefer to play in the 'old school' culture of football so clearly has no regrets, doubt he's learnt much from his 'experiences'.


he's learnt that some people CAN get something (Lots of something's in his case) for nothing.
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Caulker on 17:10 - Apr 29 with 2522 viewsqprd

Caulker on 16:07 - Apr 26 by Northernr

No, fair, absolutely agree with you, good post and good points.

I'm just slightly cynical about him because a big media appearance like this about all the lessons and improvements he's learned and made and how he's been off to Sierra Leone and discovered himself again comes out around this time every year, coincidentally just as his latest contract is expiring and he needs another one.


Clive, I think there’s an even more cynical reason he did his first guardian article (beyond getting a new contract)

Even fans who are not plugged into off the field stuff ( like me) were hearing stories abt caulkers shenanigans in nightclubs etc- getting into fights, throwing things at patrons in pubs etc

The club were paying him a massive wage and were desperate to unload him (and no one wanted him)…. They probably had enough of a dossier on him to void his contract for cause (for bad behaviour) and thereby terminate his contract without an obligation to pay him the balance of his wages

Around that time his article comes out abt mental illness, depression, suicide, trips to Africa- effectively by doing that, he basically checkmated qpr by preventing them from voiding his contract for cause. Imagine the backlash if qpr voided a players contract who had just come out and said he was suicidal … It’s disturbingly cynical but certainly plausible
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Caulker on 17:47 - Apr 29 with 2476 viewsbakerloo8

Usual fluff piece from an absolute waster.

Learnt his lesson this time, until the next time, until the next time etc.
Waste of oxygen.
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Caulker on 08:27 - May 4 with 2273 viewstraininvain

Thanks for sharing. He’s clearly got his demons like many of us and I found his honesty refreshing. Can’t imagine I’d have been much different to him if I’d been given £50k per week in my early 20’s!

One thing I noticed is you’ve got a podcast with a bloke pouring his heart out about his crippling gambling addiction, it cuts to a break and the first advert is a betting company. No wonder we have such a big problem with gambling in this country.
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Caulker on 12:22 - May 4 with 2044 viewsBenny_the_Ball

Caulker on 12:51 - Apr 26 by slmrstid

I haven't listened to Undr the Cosh in a while, but whilst some of them are cringey as anything to listen to, some are really quite deep and thought provoking. The one with Joe Thompson who talked about beating cancer whilst playing for Rochdale and living with that as a young man with a kid was absolutely heart breaking.


Joe's story is deserving of my sympathy. Not some bludger who stole a living and pissed it away drinking and gambling. He's still only 31, is currently employed by Wigan, and decides to put this out whilst his team are scrapping for Championship survival.
[Post edited 4 May 2023 12:23]
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Caulker on 13:32 - May 4 with 1957 viewsNorthernr

So I listened on my run last couple of days...

I'm very conflicted. It's easy for non-addicts to be a bit throw-away with comments without empathy or understanding.

He's very open about the problems he's had, some of the stories he told were eye-popping.

The juxtaposition of the betting adverts, as said above, was pretty jarring. And the overall tone of Undr the Cosh, which is basically get a footballer on and make him tell all the stories about the time they drank for 72 hours straight in Marbella then sht in John Beresford's shoes, didn't quite sit right with it, though they handled it reasonably well.

QPR don't come out of it well at all. I would say I was surprised but it's exactly what we were all saying and all knew about us at the time. Redknapp, just like Ephraim and loads of others say, the myth of the "great man manager" exposed again. Spurs, where Redknapp had worked with him before, chuck him because he's a problem child, QPR sign him anyway. Well done 'Arry. Redknapp chases him all summer ringing on multiple numbers to get him, pay him £55,000-60,000 a week, then once he's here doesn't speak to him. Another great example of what manager wants manager gets at QPR. That bloke really is a top, top cnt.

Casinos get in touch with les Ferdinand chasing £250,000 that he'd lost in one night, QPR keep this to themselves so he can turn out and play in the game the day after with all that going on, only tell him about it afterwards - YOU'RE SENDING HIM OUT TO PLAY FOR US THE DAY AFTER HE'S BEEN IN A CASINO ALL NIGHT AND DONE £250K!!!??

And yet... as we've always said about him, it's always "I'm a fck up but...". There's always a but. Caulker hated Redknapp at Spurs, said he never spoke to him there, told the story about how 'Arry had told them not to go on England youth duty, then when two of them didn't he went in the press saying he couldn't understand young players not wanting to play for their country. So don't sign for him again. That's your fault Steven. That's nothing to do with addiction.

There's always a manager to blame, an agent, "people who were around me". Brendan Rodgers took them away to Spain for pre-season - "I don't know what he was thinking". Yeh, stupid Brendan, what a bstard. He told a story about how a manager had named him 18th man away at West Brom, and he'd been so furious that he just left the ground, got a taxi back to London, and went on it. Another occasion where it happened at Newcastle, and he went and sat in the stand and placed a bet on Newcastle to beat Spurs. Well, again, the manager is entitled to leave you out Steven. He made out like it was some big conspiratorial lie, that he'd been horribly wronged.

Every time it goes wrong in his life he gives it the big "I'm a screw up, I've messed my life up, I'm so sorry, but..." The whole podcast starts with a rant about "the politics and the lies" of football, which basically seems to amount to sometimes a manager might make out like you're going to be starting the game and then you don't - quite possibly because you're absolutely off your fcking nut half the time.

There's another diatribe about the way footballers are treated and, again, I come back to the comments above - if I turned up to work drunk, if casinos were ringing my work, then yeh my boss is a good guy and he would help me and do his best for me, but I wouldn't be here long if it kept happening. This industry which has turned his back on him so horribly, the biggest extent of the back turning seems to be he had to go and play in Turkey for a bit - woe is me - where, surprise surprise, there's another terrible manager waiting with yet more lies and politics.

I came out of it making the Marge Simpson grumbling noise. He did at least admit he was complete crap for us.
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Caulker on 13:38 - May 4 with 1933 viewsTheChef

Caulker on 13:32 - May 4 by Northernr

So I listened on my run last couple of days...

I'm very conflicted. It's easy for non-addicts to be a bit throw-away with comments without empathy or understanding.

He's very open about the problems he's had, some of the stories he told were eye-popping.

The juxtaposition of the betting adverts, as said above, was pretty jarring. And the overall tone of Undr the Cosh, which is basically get a footballer on and make him tell all the stories about the time they drank for 72 hours straight in Marbella then sht in John Beresford's shoes, didn't quite sit right with it, though they handled it reasonably well.

QPR don't come out of it well at all. I would say I was surprised but it's exactly what we were all saying and all knew about us at the time. Redknapp, just like Ephraim and loads of others say, the myth of the "great man manager" exposed again. Spurs, where Redknapp had worked with him before, chuck him because he's a problem child, QPR sign him anyway. Well done 'Arry. Redknapp chases him all summer ringing on multiple numbers to get him, pay him £55,000-60,000 a week, then once he's here doesn't speak to him. Another great example of what manager wants manager gets at QPR. That bloke really is a top, top cnt.

Casinos get in touch with les Ferdinand chasing £250,000 that he'd lost in one night, QPR keep this to themselves so he can turn out and play in the game the day after with all that going on, only tell him about it afterwards - YOU'RE SENDING HIM OUT TO PLAY FOR US THE DAY AFTER HE'S BEEN IN A CASINO ALL NIGHT AND DONE £250K!!!??

And yet... as we've always said about him, it's always "I'm a fck up but...". There's always a but. Caulker hated Redknapp at Spurs, said he never spoke to him there, told the story about how 'Arry had told them not to go on England youth duty, then when two of them didn't he went in the press saying he couldn't understand young players not wanting to play for their country. So don't sign for him again. That's your fault Steven. That's nothing to do with addiction.

There's always a manager to blame, an agent, "people who were around me". Brendan Rodgers took them away to Spain for pre-season - "I don't know what he was thinking". Yeh, stupid Brendan, what a bstard. He told a story about how a manager had named him 18th man away at West Brom, and he'd been so furious that he just left the ground, got a taxi back to London, and went on it. Another occasion where it happened at Newcastle, and he went and sat in the stand and placed a bet on Newcastle to beat Spurs. Well, again, the manager is entitled to leave you out Steven. He made out like it was some big conspiratorial lie, that he'd been horribly wronged.

Every time it goes wrong in his life he gives it the big "I'm a screw up, I've messed my life up, I'm so sorry, but..." The whole podcast starts with a rant about "the politics and the lies" of football, which basically seems to amount to sometimes a manager might make out like you're going to be starting the game and then you don't - quite possibly because you're absolutely off your fcking nut half the time.

There's another diatribe about the way footballers are treated and, again, I come back to the comments above - if I turned up to work drunk, if casinos were ringing my work, then yeh my boss is a good guy and he would help me and do his best for me, but I wouldn't be here long if it kept happening. This industry which has turned his back on him so horribly, the biggest extent of the back turning seems to be he had to go and play in Turkey for a bit - woe is me - where, surprise surprise, there's another terrible manager waiting with yet more lies and politics.

I came out of it making the Marge Simpson grumbling noise. He did at least admit he was complete crap for us.


This is just the kind of stuff that comes out years later that makes you go "Ahhhhh, so that's why..."

Will be interesting to see what stories come out from this season in the future, given some of the rumours on player behaviour off the pitch just for starters.

Poll: How old is everyone on here?

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Caulker on 14:26 - May 4 with 1877 viewsBenny_the_Ball

Caulker on 13:32 - May 4 by Northernr

So I listened on my run last couple of days...

I'm very conflicted. It's easy for non-addicts to be a bit throw-away with comments without empathy or understanding.

He's very open about the problems he's had, some of the stories he told were eye-popping.

The juxtaposition of the betting adverts, as said above, was pretty jarring. And the overall tone of Undr the Cosh, which is basically get a footballer on and make him tell all the stories about the time they drank for 72 hours straight in Marbella then sht in John Beresford's shoes, didn't quite sit right with it, though they handled it reasonably well.

QPR don't come out of it well at all. I would say I was surprised but it's exactly what we were all saying and all knew about us at the time. Redknapp, just like Ephraim and loads of others say, the myth of the "great man manager" exposed again. Spurs, where Redknapp had worked with him before, chuck him because he's a problem child, QPR sign him anyway. Well done 'Arry. Redknapp chases him all summer ringing on multiple numbers to get him, pay him £55,000-60,000 a week, then once he's here doesn't speak to him. Another great example of what manager wants manager gets at QPR. That bloke really is a top, top cnt.

Casinos get in touch with les Ferdinand chasing £250,000 that he'd lost in one night, QPR keep this to themselves so he can turn out and play in the game the day after with all that going on, only tell him about it afterwards - YOU'RE SENDING HIM OUT TO PLAY FOR US THE DAY AFTER HE'S BEEN IN A CASINO ALL NIGHT AND DONE £250K!!!??

And yet... as we've always said about him, it's always "I'm a fck up but...". There's always a but. Caulker hated Redknapp at Spurs, said he never spoke to him there, told the story about how 'Arry had told them not to go on England youth duty, then when two of them didn't he went in the press saying he couldn't understand young players not wanting to play for their country. So don't sign for him again. That's your fault Steven. That's nothing to do with addiction.

There's always a manager to blame, an agent, "people who were around me". Brendan Rodgers took them away to Spain for pre-season - "I don't know what he was thinking". Yeh, stupid Brendan, what a bstard. He told a story about how a manager had named him 18th man away at West Brom, and he'd been so furious that he just left the ground, got a taxi back to London, and went on it. Another occasion where it happened at Newcastle, and he went and sat in the stand and placed a bet on Newcastle to beat Spurs. Well, again, the manager is entitled to leave you out Steven. He made out like it was some big conspiratorial lie, that he'd been horribly wronged.

Every time it goes wrong in his life he gives it the big "I'm a screw up, I've messed my life up, I'm so sorry, but..." The whole podcast starts with a rant about "the politics and the lies" of football, which basically seems to amount to sometimes a manager might make out like you're going to be starting the game and then you don't - quite possibly because you're absolutely off your fcking nut half the time.

There's another diatribe about the way footballers are treated and, again, I come back to the comments above - if I turned up to work drunk, if casinos were ringing my work, then yeh my boss is a good guy and he would help me and do his best for me, but I wouldn't be here long if it kept happening. This industry which has turned his back on him so horribly, the biggest extent of the back turning seems to be he had to go and play in Turkey for a bit - woe is me - where, surprise surprise, there's another terrible manager waiting with yet more lies and politics.

I came out of it making the Marge Simpson grumbling noise. He did at least admit he was complete crap for us.


I'm not conflicted. Caulker clearly hasn't learned or matured. He signed for Wigan in January, presumably to help them retain Championship status. He then thinks its a good idea to take part in this podcast whilst Wigan are desperately battling for survival. Little wonder that he was benched for the run-in. Could he have not waited until the end of his career to tell his truth? At the very least wait until the end of the season when Wigan's fate is decided.
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Caulker on 14:31 - May 4 with 1877 viewsNorthernr

Caulker on 14:26 - May 4 by Benny_the_Ball

I'm not conflicted. Caulker clearly hasn't learned or matured. He signed for Wigan in January, presumably to help them retain Championship status. He then thinks its a good idea to take part in this podcast whilst Wigan are desperately battling for survival. Little wonder that he was benched for the run-in. Could he have not waited until the end of his career to tell his truth? At the very least wait until the end of the season when Wigan's fate is decided.


And again, big LinkedIn post from Steven about the scandalous economic problems at Wigan stopping him getting paid, but admits on this pod that he knew full well Wigan were having big economic problems when he signed, could have gone to Rotherham instead (notoriously financially stable club) or a whole load of different League One clubs, and he did it anyway because he "liked Kolo Toure when he was at Liverpool". That's your fault mate, again.

This post has been edited by an administrator
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Caulker on 15:15 - May 4 with 1795 viewsDejR_vu

Caulker on 14:31 - May 4 by Northernr

And again, big LinkedIn post from Steven about the scandalous economic problems at Wigan stopping him getting paid, but admits on this pod that he knew full well Wigan were having big economic problems when he signed, could have gone to Rotherham instead (notoriously financially stable club) or a whole load of different League One clubs, and he did it anyway because he "liked Kolo Toure when he was at Liverpool". That's your fault mate, again.

This post has been edited by an administrator


Thick, spoilt, self-indulgent footballer behaving like a thick, spoilt, self-indulgent footballer, you say? Hmmm

Poll: Season tickets - who’s renewing?

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Caulker on 15:44 - May 4 with 1744 viewsnumptydumpty

Caulker on 14:31 - May 4 by Northernr

And again, big LinkedIn post from Steven about the scandalous economic problems at Wigan stopping him getting paid, but admits on this pod that he knew full well Wigan were having big economic problems when he signed, could have gone to Rotherham instead (notoriously financially stable club) or a whole load of different League One clubs, and he did it anyway because he "liked Kolo Toure when he was at Liverpool". That's your fault mate, again.

This post has been edited by an administrator


Am all for listening to a sob story and judging each case on its merits

As have said before, I now work in the mental health support sector and some people truly have no capacity for self awareness and they are simply unwell as they truly not in any control of their minds and for people who suffer these kind of extremely distressing circumstances there is help and they deserve to have all the support they can and for even the severest of cases there is always hope to get back in control and be able to tackle life in a better way for themselves and the people around them.

Addictions are always a totally different beast and the only time recovery can happen is when the individual truly understands that they actually need help.

Had a friend who has had dreadful gambling issues. He has little control over his money now. There are lots of blocks in place so that it's practically impossible to lose much and most of his gambling options are unavailable. He knew he needed this and without it, would be deep in trouble


There are a few supportive posts for Caulker here

Unfortunately he won't get one from me.

As a public figure if he truly wanted to accept help and limit his options it is all very possible. Last few years this has been much better regulated than it ever was.

Did know of a poor chap who sadly ended his life because of bookmakers roulette machines and online that created impossible debts

Such things are a little more regulated but still inadequate.

These debts when they have become so ridiculous should be monitored and some should not be enforceable

Government regulations on the gambling industry should be much more restrictive and some of the ways bookmakers make ridiculous profits should be outlawed and prosecutions should be brought in to much better regulate this industry because with the advent of online portals, its even more dangerous for an addict.

The glamourising of such issues and the regular celebrity advert endorsements are a disgrace and the fact a massive percentage of football teams are sponsored by gambling firms shows the big money that is made in this industry but the massive majority making the money in this industry is the bookies themselves and not any of the punters.

But someone in Caulkers position should not be given air time if he is seen to be a bad example as opposed to a reformed character.

One - There would have been help wherever he was employed. I not buying the no one was bothered statement

Two - The guy is working in a profession where despite what we all write etc, footballers their lifestyles etc is seen as a much desired position to be in.

Three - This man always seems to have found his way and just needs to stick with what he admits to needing help with and his learning lessons interviews unsurprisingly always cone about at end of a season or when he needs another big money contract and the repetitive "I have learnt my lessons' interviews happen and some mug signs him up.

Four - if he was sincere then please engage with help and getting bookies, online bookies blocked, inability to get credit, get your mates and your partner and your family to all be involved in your care and ALWAYS attend every day addiction groups.

If he heard the real stories of men and women that have ruined their lives, ended friendless and family turned on them and living in in cardboard Box city then Caulker would truly know in his privileged position where such eventualities don't happen, he could be an ambassador for such services.

Unfortunately he is not that contrite.

It's others issues, lack of support in his words, but the consequences for him aren't tragic currently. There is always a money bags contract around the corner so despite him knowing its a major problem the consequences if such troubles can always be rectified.

But he is getting on in players terms and the last couple of mug contracts are imminent and it will only be then that he will look back and think, I had so many chances and I took none of them.

Let's see where this will be in five years time.

I am not sympathetic in Caulkers case at all but he really HAS to wake up and smell the coffee because soon he will really have a problem and the old Robbie Williams song, "No Regrets". Well sadly that won't be true !!

A wasted career and talent and also a massively wasted opportunity to show the way to being a reformed addict which could then impact on others that it really is not the way ahead.

First rule though is always consider that these issues are actually your issues to resolve.

Caulker is annoyed that every club he has been at, has not prevented him from gambling.

A clear sign he won't ever get over this.
[Post edited 4 May 2023 16:00]

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Caulker on 16:06 - May 4 with 1716 viewsBenny_the_Ball

Caulker on 14:31 - May 4 by Northernr

And again, big LinkedIn post from Steven about the scandalous economic problems at Wigan stopping him getting paid, but admits on this pod that he knew full well Wigan were having big economic problems when he signed, could have gone to Rotherham instead (notoriously financially stable club) or a whole load of different League One clubs, and he did it anyway because he "liked Kolo Toure when he was at Liverpool". That's your fault mate, again.

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I think the world and his wife were pretty aware of financial issues at Wigan when Caulker signed in January.

Context is needed when assessing Steven's case. When he speaks of losing £250k in one night, it sounds sensational at face value because it's a mortgage to most people. In Steven's case, it was a month's wages so the situation wasn't terminal.

Professional football is a very difficult world to succeed in, with the majority of aspiring footballers falling by the wayside or going on to have careers at lower levels. The fact that Steven made it and went on to win lucrative contracts at numerous high profile clubs speaks as much for his mental fortitude as well as the capabilities of his PR team. Given this, and the lack of contrition and self-development, I struggle to view Steven as the victim of the piece.
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Caulker on 16:37 - May 4 with 2301 viewsnumptydumpty

Caulker on 16:06 - May 4 by Benny_the_Ball

I think the world and his wife were pretty aware of financial issues at Wigan when Caulker signed in January.

Context is needed when assessing Steven's case. When he speaks of losing £250k in one night, it sounds sensational at face value because it's a mortgage to most people. In Steven's case, it was a month's wages so the situation wasn't terminal.

Professional football is a very difficult world to succeed in, with the majority of aspiring footballers falling by the wayside or going on to have careers at lower levels. The fact that Steven made it and went on to win lucrative contracts at numerous high profile clubs speaks as much for his mental fortitude as well as the capabilities of his PR team. Given this, and the lack of contrition and self-development, I struggle to view Steven as the victim of the piece.


I would personally say Benny, his ability as a young man when he ended up getting England recognition was absolutely down to the young Stephen Caulker.

His ability since then to be given big money contract has been nothing to do with Caulker himself, as every time he has failed and yet he is offered another big money contract, well that's down to his agent and more than likely Caulker can act, presenting the reformed character with talent, hence the job offers that he never performs in once employed.

Only in football though, could this happen !!

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