Norwich City legend Leon McKenzie on his battle with depression and on his faith

Former Norwich City striker Leon McKenzie and Soul Church senior pastor Jon Norman. Credit: Keith Morris/ www.networknorfolk.co.uk (Image: Archant)

McKenzie, who was a Canaries forward from 2003 to 2006, is now a masters boxing champion.

He told a 480-strong audience that the highlights of his Norwich City career included scoring twice on his debut in a derby game against Ipswich Town at Portman Road and the winner against Manchester United.

'It was a dream debut come true,' said McKenzie. 'I fell in love with the club and played with my heart – what a fantastic time I had at Norwich.'

He also revealed that he used to pray before every game.

'I used to take my bible in the changing room and sit in the corner and just pray – not that I would score lots of goals and we would win, but that I would not get hurt and I would just go out and have fun,' he said.

McKenzie has won the international super-middleweight masters belt since retiring from football, but the biggest fight of his life has been with depression, which led to a suicide attempt while playing for Charlton.

'I had collected about 60 pills, sleeping pills and other tablets, and took them all, one after the other with a bottle of Jack Daniels,' he said. 'I don't know why but I called my dad.

'He rushed around and burst into the hotel room and I just collapsed in his arms.

'I woke up next day in hospital.'

McKenzie became a born-again Christian at the age of 20 and was baptized a year later, but he admitted he often struggles with his faith, while retaining a belief in God.

'Some days when I open my bible I get it and some days I don't.

'If I am honest, sometimes the whole religion thing gets on my nerves.

'I don't go to church every Sunday or pray every day, but I know my heart and I know God sees that.'

For more on McKenzie's visit to Soul Church, see Christian community website www.networknorfolk.co.uk