Read how the Cricketers' Trust supported former Warwickshire captain Dermot Reeve.
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Warwickshire legend Dermot Reeve takes stock of over two decades of turmoil, addiction, and how the Cricketers’ Trust has now provided a ray of sunshine.
Born in the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong in 1963, Dermot Reeve made his First-Class debut for Sussex in 1983. However, it would be at Warwickshire where the England international wrote his name in the history books.
The all-rounder played more than 350 times for the Bears, where he was made captain in 1993. During his tenure, Reeve guided Warwickshire to an unprecedented treble. Coached by the late Bob Woolmer, that side included the talent of Brian Lara and a young Ashley Giles in its ranks.
Despite having many contrasting personalities in the team, one of his many nicknames was ‘marmite’, a tag that sits comfortably with the 62-year-old today. The principled leader set the tone in the dressing room, enough to be voted as Warwickshire’s Greatest Ever Captain in 2020.
Soon after his retirement, the 750-wicket man moved into coaching and broadcasting where he commentated on Channel 4 alongside the legendary Richie Benaud. The world was at his feet on the verge of calling the 2005 Ashes, however, one bad decision cost him everything. Something he still lives with to this day.
“It all started when I was in broadcasting around 2002,” Reeve says, speaking to Beyond the Boundaries some 23-years on. “Cocaine was quite prevalent and freely available. I turned it down for a couple of years, thinking it was dangerous, but eventually I made the mistake of trying it. That was the worst decision of my life.
“Two years later, I was doing four grams a day, and I stopped turning up to work because I was not in a position to commentate. It took me from someone who was at a good job, and functioning, to a person who lost everything.”
"The most powerful thing in the universe is to control your thoughts, to rule your emotional state."
DERMOT REEVE
The situation deteriorated quickly when Reeve lost his job and the support of his family as a direct consequence of being clinically addicted. “I ended up feeling like I lost the respect of my four children in Australia along with a tough few years of home life.
“Little relapses that I have had over the last 10 years have had monumental consequences. I went from being an energetic, positive person to spiralling down to a place of depression which I have been dealing with ever since.”
At his lowest, Reeve admitted to having some very dark thoughts and sought help from the Cricketers’ Trust, the charity which looks after professional cricketers and their immediate families in England and Wales.
The former England international heaped praise on the Trust for coming to aid during his time of adversity. He received a range of mental health support, including a strict intervention through a spell in a residential facility to overcome his depression.
“I wasn’t too knowledgeable about what support was out there and it was my old teammates at Warwickshire who said I should get in touch with the Cricketers’ Trust. The Trust has been so good to me. Having that care from them has been exceptional and has kept me going through some dark times.
“I have had such positive help from the Trust. They do an amazing job and if I can help repay them one day by doing this article or in a fundraising capacity, it would be an honour.
“The reason why I wanted to talk about my life experiences was to say thank you to the PCA and the Cricketers’ Trust.
“One thing I can pass on to anyone who reads this piece is don’t be tempted. When you are offered something, you think ‘it’s okay, I will do it just once’, don’t risk it because you could end up losing your job, losing your family, and losing your self- respect. I am still working hard to try and get those three things back.”
With support of his PCA Personal Development Manager, Cookie Patel, the Warwickshire great is looking to a bright future now he is back in control of his mental state. And in talking to Reeve, it’s clear the natural leader has got his mojo back.
“It is very powerful to have the mental skills to think in the right way,” he continues. “These days I am living on the positive side of joy and happiness. The most powerful thing in the universe is to control your thoughts, to rule your emotional state.”
Reeve is now ready to give himself a second chance in life and hasn’t given up hope of getting back into the professional game. He remains keen to help the future generation be better cricketers, but more importantly, better human beings.
“I would love a county to give me a chance, even if it is just for six weeks of pre-season, asking me to join them and help in their academies or women’s teams. I still believe I have got plenty to offer in coaching and developing mental skills.”
The Cricketers’ Trust funds the PCA’s free Confidential Helpline which is available to past and present players and immediate families whenever they need it most.
Call 0778000877
