David James has detailed his experience of declaring bankruptcy and how an obsessive personality led to heavy drinking during his time as a Liverpool player, with the former England No1 outlining how competitive dressing room cultures can drive players to continue spending to keep up with team-mates’ lavish lifestyles.
In an interview with the Pub Talk podcast, hosted by Alan Brazil and former Arsenal star Ray Parlour, James said that there was a determination among players to earn more than the team-mate sitting next to him but the biggest issue following his bankruptcy was not being able to help others through his foundation or other charitable interests.
The 51-year-old made an estimated £20million during his playing career, earning about £50,000-per-week during his spell at Portsmouth, but was declared bankrupt in May 2014. In November of that year, he auctioned off some of his most prized possessions, including more than 100 match-worn shirts.
