A Manchester United prodigy was snapped playing for a ninth-tier non-league club after an addiction to pills almost cost him his life
17:29, 28 Oct 2025
Darron Gibson
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Darron Gibson is now playing in non-league
Darron Gibson was once held in high regard at Manchester United - the midfielder seemed to be set to become the next superstar at Old Trafford.
However, Gibson, who turned 38 last week, is just enjoying his football again after a personal hell that saw him develop a pill addiction.
After sustaining a serious knee injury back in 2013, Gibson started to suffer from insomnia. He would become dependent on pills, which was made worse by alcohol abuse.
Gibson suffered a near-fatal seizure three years ago, after taking 18 sleeping tablets - and his wife, Danielle, feared he had died.
In a candid interview with The Times, Danielle said: "He had gone so stiff and the sweat was dripping from him and he was biting chunks out of his tongue.
Darron Gibson
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Darron Gibson was a star for Manchester United(Image: Man Utd via Getty Images)
"I was trying to stop him doing that, but I couldn't lift him. His body was so wet and his eyes were like a roulette machine, they were whirring around so fast.
"It lasted about three minutes and then there was a stillness. His lips turned blue and I thought he had died."
Speaking about his time in hospital, Gibson added: "They were doing brain scans and epilepsy scans. I knew deep down what happened but I was too embarrassed to tell them.
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"Finally I said, 'Listen, it's not that'. I had taken 12 sleeping tablets the night before and about six more before I sat down to watch the match.
"If you have got the money and the connections you can get whatever [medication] you want."
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Gibson shocked fans earlier this month when he appeared for ninth-tier outfit Wythenshawe FC during their North West Counties League clash with AFC Liverpool.
Fans were over the moon to see him on the pitch again as the video went viral on TikTok: "The memories I get when I see him play is just so good.”