Mark Lawn insists the Professional Footballers’ Association must do more to help former players like Dean Windass cope with returning to “normal” life.

Windass has claimed that he nearly took his own life because of depression.

City’s joint-chairman said: “The PFA have a duty of care for their members. They should have some sort of facility to help these ex-players.

“It’s akin to being in the army who put people on courses a year before they are due to leave to make sure they can handle civilian life.

“Football has been like a drug for players. Their bodies have been primed to get ready every Saturday since they were 16.

“There must be a hell of an adrenaline rush through their brain and suddenly you’re coming off cold turkey. They must still crave that buzz but it’s not there any more.”