Albion Rovers star David Cox has admitted he battled with suicidal thoughts as he quit the game midway through a match in which he was allegedly taunted over mental health issues by an opposition player.
Cox was on the bench for Rovers' League Two match at Stenhousemuir on Thursday and claims he was mocked by Jonathan Tiffoney over previous attempts at ending his own life.
It's an allegation that has been denied by the Stenhousemuir player and is the subject of a Scottish FA investigation.
Cox opened up on his decision to quit the game in an emotional video from his car at Ochilview, and the part-time player says the insults he received on Thursday were just the final straw after years of abuse from players and fans.
He says rivals have used his mental health issues to goad him into reactions that have led to red cards in the past.
And the 32-year-old, who is an ambassador for mental health charity Back Onside, says he has quit for good.
He told the Daily Record : "I am just sick of going through the same s**t every few months, every few weeks.
“As soon as you have a tussle with somebody on the pitch it’s, ‘You should have killed yourself. You should have done it properly.’ I’m just not doing it any more.
“It could be the final straw for somebody, and to be honest, last night I could have just turned my wheel into the centre of the motorway when I was driving home. That’s how I felt.”
Cox is pleased that there is an investigation into the incident but doesn't expect a satisfactory outcome.
"He [Tiffoney] is not going to admit it, is he?" he said.
“I know two boys who were sitting on our bench and heard what he said, and I’ve had messages today from someone else who said they heard it, so he can deny it as much as he wants.
“But that’s what these things always come down to – he said, he said. That’s why I’ve said I’m done with football. I’ve just had enough of it.
“Nothing is ever done about it. Look at the number of times I’ve been open about it and have done stories. Have the SFA ever once been in touch to ask, ‘How can we help or what can we do to prevent it?’ Not once.
“People ask me what I expect this time but I don’t expect anything. If they investigate it, I’ll say my piece but do I think they’ll take action? No, I don’t.
“When I was at Cowdenbeath, for instance, I told them I was really struggling with my mental health and needed time out. The reaction was, ‘But we’ve got a big game this weekend.’
“If I had pulled a hamstring I wouldn’t be fit enough to play and it would be expected that I missed the game. But because you can’t see mental health problems, it’s still treated differently.”
Cox, who owns a gym in Motherwell, added: "If they want to investigate, I’ll take in the pictures I’ve got of the injuries to my throat and my arms. I’ll show them photos of me lying in hospital beds and I’ll tell them, ‘This is what you don’t see – this is real mental health.’
“They have to know it’s not just words. People are killing themselves and I’m one of those who has tried to in the past.”
Tiffoney, meanwhile, has released a statement insisting he didn't make the comments he is accused of.
The Stenhousemuir player said: “Media reports have indicated that I abused David Cox by referencing and attacking his mental health during last night’s football match between Stenhousemuir and Albion Rovers.
“This is simply untrue. Throughout the first half of the game, I was subjected to abuse and disparaging comments from the Albion Rovers dugout. I did not react to these.
“David Cox, who was a substitute and not playing, was booked by the referee for entering the pitch and abusing me. I did not abuse him.
“His abuse of me took place in front of the linesman.
“Had I made the comment, which it has been said that I made, then it is inconceivable that it would have not been heard by the linesman.
“I would never attack another player’s mental health or wellbeing and will fully cooperate with the Scottish FA investigation into this matter.”
However, Cox says he's telling the truth, and that he wouldn't have reacted as he did otherwise.
He said: "People who know me know I wouldn’t have reacted like that over nothing. I only got booked because I stepped on the pitch after he said what he said.
“It’s happened so often in the past and nothing has been done about it apart from me speaking out to try to help people who have had the same problem.
“I’ve never named names before but I promised myself the next time it happens, I’m done.”
A spokesman for the SPFL said: “The SPFL is aware of the alleged incident from last night’s match between Stenhousemuir and Albion Rovers, and notes that the case has been referred to the Scottish FA compliance officer.
“Given that it is now an active case, it would not be appropriate to comment on the specifics at this stage.
“Needless to say, no player should have to endure abuse on the football pitch, it is completely unacceptable and has no place in the sport.
“Any player who receives abuse from another player should immediately report it to the match referee for inclusion in his report.”
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