Warnock hid seizures from Liverpool as a youngster
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock says he concealed having seizures as a youth player because he feared the club would release him. He has spoken publicly about the experience for the first time, prompted by an interview with Hull City midfielder Matt Crooks, who has epilepsy.
Warnock, now 44, said his seizures began at school and continued for about three years, including while he was at Liverpool’s youth setup. He has not had one since he was 14 and says he did not need medication, though he still worries about a recurrence; epilepsy affects around one in 100 people in the UK.
In short
- Warnock hid seizures from Liverpool for fear of being released.
- He says they stopped when he was 14.
- He has spoken about the experience publicly for the first time.
Explained simply
Liverpool’s youth set-up trains young players who hope to earn a place in the first team. Stephen Warnock joined the club as a youngster and later played in defence for Liverpool and other clubs.
Epilepsy is a condition that can cause repeated seizures, though the effects vary from person to person. It affects about one in 100 people in the UK, and a seizure does not necessarily mean someone needs medication.
Warnock’s experience raises questions about how young players balance their health with the pressure to secure a future in professional football. Matt Crooks, a Hull City midfielder with epilepsy, helped prompt Warnock to speak about what happened to him.