Former Town Man's Rise and Fall and Recovery

Former Swindon Town midfielder Joey Beauchamp has been talking of his battle against alcohol abuse, depression and his subsequent recovery.

The Oxford United legend, now 39, has always been an enemy to the Swindon faithful, sometimes shining against Town and sometimes being comprehensively (and aggressively!) dealt with.

However, after retirement the tricky winger has been struggling with alcohol addiction and bout of depression. Beauchamp told the Oxford Mail that he 'was drinking all day, every day...' he even admitted that he had even researched methods of committing suicide when he was at rock bottom.

It was a drink driving conviction in August 2009 that proved the turning point for Beauchamp and his family as he was encouraged to seek medical assistance and is now finally able to continue his life.

Beauchamp, an Oxford native, started his career with his hometown club before a Premier League switch to West Ham United in the summer of 1994.

However, and quite bizarrely, after only 58 days as a Hammer he requested a transfer due to his reluctance to leave the city of Oxford and did not like the commute. So, Town boss John Gorman came in and paid an initial fee of £300,000 + defender Adrian Whitbread (a fee that would rise to £800,000) for the left sided midfielder.

Let's just say that his Swindon Town career didn't go very well for all parties as Swindon were relegated to the third tier during his only season as a regular. By the time the Steve McMahon was in charge then it was only a matter of time before a return to Oxford United was achieved. The move came in December 1995 with Swindon receiving a small fee of £75,000 plus a 20% sell on clause (which Town never benefited from)

Joey Beachamp saw out the rest of his professional career with his beloved Oxford before playing for Abdingdon Town and Didcot Town in Non-League.

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