Brenden Wardle never minces his words when he talks and with the subject of alcohol in football having surfaced in recent days at Kaizer Chiefs, the retired goalkeeper has raised his voice.
Wardle started out at Durban Bush Bucks then went to the School of Excellence before playing for SuperSport United, Santos, Moroka Swallows, Golden Arrows, and Maritzburg United.
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So, with Itumeleng Khune in trouble for allegedly reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol just days after his teammate Mdu Mdantsane served suspension for an alcohol related issue, Wardle has made revelations.
"With me alcohol is something that doesn't surprise when it comes to the local football landscape," says Wardle who was nicknamed 'Spider'.
"I played a game against Kaizer Chiefs under the influence of alcohol while I was at Santos.
"We drew that game 1-1 and I got a Man of the Match award.
"One of your former colleagues at KickOff who is a former professional footballer found me at a popular drinking space in Gugulethu the day before we played Chiefs.
"He then threatened to ruin my career but luckily, I was Man of the Match the next day against Chiefs.
"That is how I escaped from having my dirty laundry in the public.
"Fees Moloi who also contributed to me escaping from this issue being made public fodder.
"Fees didn't drink or smoke like me, so he knew how to get me out of trouble.
"I was the first-choice keeper at the time and in my 20s at the time so I will suppose I was still growing up.
"I also used to come to training under the influence of alcohol, so this is nothing new to me.
"I speak freely now because I don't play football anymore and not involved in it, and mostly do sports betting whenever I get the chance.
"Even up to now it is no secret that I drink alcohol and smoke a cigarette.
"I'm not afraid of talking about alcohol because it is no secret that it is prevalent in our society.
"Footballers are also human beings who want to have fun, but they will always be judged because they are public figures.
"There are a lot of footballers that I know who used to do this that I can name especially from Golden Arrows where it was a boozers' paradise.
"If it wasn't me coming under the influence of alcohol this week then it would be another player the following week.
"What helped was that we were able to protect each other.
"At Arrows we got away with it because there isn't as much interest in the club as Chiefs where you will be even judged for how you dress and what you drive.
"With Sis' Mato (Madlala), she also knew about the players who drink because at times we would ask her to go out after games.
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"I was eventually sacked at Arrows for alcohol related issues afters someone spied on me while I was at a drinking place while off sick.
"I messed it up myself as a senior player at Arrows," says Wardle who works as a carpenter in Umzimkhulu in the Harry Gwala Municipality.