Much loved former EFL player turned non league manager ‘rushed to hospital’

Much loved former EFL player turned non league manager Ryan Cresswell has been ‘rushed to hospital’, according to his current club.

Sheffield FC of the Northern Premier League Division One East announced the news on Monday evening, with circumstances which led to him being taken into hospital last Friday night remaining unclear.

However, the club say he remains there at present, and the update has since led to messages of love and support to the Cresswell and his family.

Sheffield FC wrote: “We would like to wish a speedy recovery to the gaffer, who was rushed into hospital on Friday.

“Ryan’s currently still in hospital so let’s hope we can get a win for him tomorrow night 👊

“@cressy_6 All round top guy ❤️”

Ryan Cresswell wrote on Tuesday evening: “I just want to say a massive thank you for all the msgs of support and well wishes. All the staff at Rotherham General Hospital have been first class with me. I’ll be back on the touch line as soon as I can ❤️”

We would like to wish a speedy recovery to the gaffer, who was rushed into hospital on Friday.

Ryan’s currently still in hospital so let’s hope we can get a win for him tomorrow night 👊@cressy_6 All round top guy ❤️ pic.twitter.com/pyDEqOAxmv

— Sheffield Football Club (@sheffieldfc) February 13, 2023

RYAN CRESSWELL’S CAREER

Youth career
–2006 Sheffield United

Senior career
2006–2008 – Sheffield United
2007 → Halifax Town (loan) – 16 games (0 goals)
2007 → Rotherham United (loan) – 4 games (0 goals)
2007 → Morecambe (loan) – 2 games (0 goals)
2008 → Macclesfield Town (loan) – 19 games (1 goal)
2008 → Ferencváros (loan)
2008–2010 – Bury – 59 games (1 goal)
2010–2012 – Rotherham United – 43 games (9 goals)
2012–2013 – Southend United – 54 games (8 goals)
2013–2014 – Fleetwood Town – 27 games (1 goal)
2014–2016 – Northampton Town – 67 games (7 goals)
2016–2018 – Eastleigh – 28 games (2 goals)
2019 – Mickleover Sports
2019 – Boston United
2019 – Bradford (Park Avenue)
2019–2020 – Romford
2020 – Parkgate
2021 – Parkgate

Managerial career
2021 – Parkgate
2021– Sheffield

In August 2022, Ryan Cresswell was praised for opening up about painkiller addiction.

He said, as per ITV: “Plain and simple, if I had carried on doing what I was doing, I would have been dead. I didn’t want to die. I just didn’t know how to live.

“I told the doctor and he said ‘Ryan you should be dead’. The sleeping tablets and the painkillers – I was just numb. I eventually got help. I don’t want anyone to go through what I went through.”

“The reality of it is that you’re never 100% fit, so you’re always carrying something. Someone has put a trust in you that you want to see through and you don’t want to let anybody down.

“If I felt my hamstring or my knee, I would try to mask it because I didn’t want to let the manager or my teammates or the fans down.

“I noticed when I was about 22 that players were getting through games with painkillers and I just thought ‘is that what I’m supposed to do?’

“And you’d be told ‘it’s in your head, we’ve done all the tests and you’re fine’ and you believe it because it’s what you’re being told all the time.”

He adds that he took painkillers to avoid fans’ accusations that he was injury prone.

“From 27 to 33 I was lost, dead on my feet,” he said. “I lost my marriage due to addiction, but by kicking me out she saved my life.

“I’ve seen friends and ex teammates and opposition players that I played against go through hell and not not be able to sit where I am today. And that, for me, that shouldn’t happen.

“There is an issue in football from grassroots to elite level with addictions, and we don’t hear enough about it.”

Twitter users reacted to the news that the much loved former EFL player turned non league manager was ‘rushed to hospital’ last week…

@JakePetrolhead: Gutted to hear Ryan has been taken to hospital, everything that I’ve seen from him suggests he’s a lovely bloke, and I admire the openness and frankness of him talking about his mental health struggles in the past.

@CobblersToMe: All the best Cresser. Get well soon! ❤️

@CustardSplatPod: Really top bloke. Wishing him well 💙

Speedy recovery gaffer ❤️

@ClassKlingon: Get well soon, Cressy! Hope it’s nothing too serious. We’ll keep the place ticking over until you get back. ⚽️❤🖤😊

@maljames47: We wish him all the very best from Dunston UTS F.C.

@bensommerville_: Hope you’re all good mate 🙏

@lillatimer: All the best Ryan 🔵🍤

@Peterjo05332225: Top man, get better soon big man

@RPH26: Get well soon Cressy, hopefully nothing too serious xxx

@adam3oxley: Best wishes Ryan from everyone at @BBCSheffield 👊🏻

@deakin22: Best wishes big man. Speedy recovery x

@ShrimpersTalk: Wishing you all the very best @cressy_6

@CraigRouse1: Speedy recovery @cressy_6 👊

@coachtonymee: Sorry to see this. Recover well @cressy_6 ⚽️💪🏼

@ryan_clarke01: Get well soon big yin ❤️

@andymorrell01: Hope ur ok @cressy_6 and a speedy recovery!

@LadyDoodah: Lots of love to you @cressy_6 Special bloke x

@ashleyh19861: Best wishes for a speedy recovery Ryan ❤️ Once a Cobbler always a Cobbler 👞

@Markosdayo: Speedy recovery @cressy_6 and good luck to @sheffieldfc tomorrow – do it for the gaffer 👏🏼🙌🏼

@Jkernal95: Get well soon Ryan!

@j2cfc: Wishing Ryan a speedy recovery and hope he’s back in the dug out soon

@andydurrant75: Get well soon @cressy_6. Once a Cobbler, always a Cobbler ❤️

@BennettJ84: Speedy recovery Gaffer absolute gent and top guy sending all my best wishes and thoughts to him at this time ❤️💙

@GavSax: Sending all my strength and best wishes Cressy….top top man

@sarahwoolley79: All the best for a speedy recovery, Cressy.

Sending our best to Ryan for a swift recovery and we hope to hear he is back on the sidelines ASAP.

— 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗙𝗖 | Est 1878 (@Matlock_TownFC) February 13, 2023

This is a shock. Adding best wishes for a full recovery to @cressy_6 . Hope he’s back on the touchline soon.

— Alan Biggs (@AlanBiggs1) February 13, 2023

Get well soon, Ryan 🐯

— Worksop Town FC (@worksoptownfc) February 14, 2023

Get well soon my man 💙

— nicky adams (@nickyadams10) February 13, 2023

Come on you @cressy_6 stay strong for me 🙏🏾❤️

— Adriano Moke (@AdrianoMoke) February 13, 2023

Hope all’s alright @cressy_6
Get well soon big man! 👊🏼

— Iain Hume (@Humey_7) February 14, 2023