A Liverpool FC fan said he "wouldn't be alive today" without playing football for Everton, after years of suffering from mental health issues.
Colin Dolan, 54, who lives in Mossley Hill was diagnosed with bipolar when he was 35-years-old and endured years of the illness taking hold of his life.
At one stage the dad-of-three ended up on life support and in a coma at Aintree Hopsital after taking an overdose.
His condition also lead to excessive drug and alcohol use and the breakdown of his first two marriages.
The football volunteer said he started to experience symptoms of bipolar disorder when he was 20-years-old - but never told anyone of his extreme high and low moods.
However, the Red's fan said "he wouldn't be alive" if he hadn't joined Everton in the Community's 'Imagine Your Goals' - a fitness programme and place for people living with mental health issues to discuss their problems.
Despite being a Liverpool FC fan, Colin got Everton in the Community logo and 'Imagine Your Goals' tattooed on his arm, as a tribute for saving his life.
Colin told the ECHO : "I have bipolar and have experienced extreme highs and lows which started when I was about 20-years-old.
"I started experiencing depression but I never spoke to anyone about it and used alcohol as a way of escaping - I got arrested and got into fights.
"I had suicidal thoughts and acted upon them.
"In 2001, I took an overdose and was on life support.
"I text a friend and told them 'I am leaving for good' and she came round and got me to the hospital.
"I was in a coma for a short time - the hospital saved my life."
Colin, who is originally from Glasgow, moved to Liverpool in 1994 and started work as a director for a courier business.
He said he was "living the high life for a while" but turned to excessive use of cocaine to combat his feelings.
After years of living with bipolar and experiencing the "manic" highs and lows of the condition, Colin met his current partner Michelle Smith - who he said understood the illlness.
However, in 2009 his mental health plummeted after he moved to Madrid for work.
Colin added: "I stayed with Michelle who said yes for me to go.
"But I was in a deep and serious depression and thought of various way of killing myself.
"I felt lonely all the time even though I saw Michelle every month.
"I got myself in trouble and got myself arrested, which I think was on purpose.
"It was the first time I thought I don't want to die, I want to live."
After seeking help from a psychiatrist in Madrid, Colin moved back to Liverpool and stopped all his alcohol and drug abuse.
In 2012 the keen football player went to his first session at Everton's 'Imagine you Goals' and said it "completely transformed his life".
He said: "I went to my first session in 2012 and and it completely transformed my life.
"I played football my whole life, but when I walked home I was walking along Penny Lane and I felt like I was floating.
"I see it as therapy and when you take medication it wears off but when you play football it gives you a buzz."
Since his first session at Everton, Colin has gone onto to found the Mental Health Football Association which brings together like-minded people together to promote playing football as a form of therapy.
He is also a public speaker, a volunteer for Everton in the Community and recently an ambassador for the World Health Innovation Summit.
He added: "I wouldn't be alive today without Everton ."
