What Do Players Gain From Twitter?

Last updated : 14 November 2012 By Footy Mad - Editor

But Bolton striker Kevin Davies believes Twitter is an unnecessary distraction that can play on the mind of young footballers. 
 
kDavies was an active participant on the social media site until May 2011 ... but the 34-year-old took exception to abusive messages aimed at himself and wife Emma.

Newcastle's Danny Simpson went through a similar experience.

Marvin Sordell was the subject of vile slurs on the site after claiming he was racially abused while warming up as a substitute during Bolton's defeat against Millwall last month.

An offensive banner about the England Under-21 forward unfurled at the New Den last weekend in the wake of a 13-year-old fan being banned over the Sordell incident stands as the latest fall-out.

Kevin Davies: "I've heard a few things. I don't really go on Twitter anymore so I can't really comment.

"If it was me, I would advise not to go on it.

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"I enjoyed my time on it because it gave you the opportunity to have conversations with fans and people and charities - that was fantastic.

"But when it gets to the point where you get abuse and stuff I think it can play on your mind, it can affect you.

"If you're not sleeping at night wondering what you're going to be waking up to, I don't think you really gain anything out of being on there."

"Sometimes after games you can't sleep and you're having random conversations with a fan - that side, I absolutely loved it,

"People say it's only 'the one per cent' but one per cent of 180,000 people following me, that's still a lot of stick to be getting.

"If you get family and things brought into it like that I just don't think you need that in your life.

"I was hurting and everyone else was, and it just comes to a point where you're constantly checking, wondering if you're getting stick.

"Why do you need that? Just concentrate on your football.

"I came off it and I felt a big weight off my shoulders because you're constantly having to wonder what you're tweeting or having to justify yourself."