Players have used an array of devices over the years to cope with the stark reality of recovering from a serious injury. Book reading, play-stations, religion and studying have all been undertaken as a release from the long, hard road back to fitness that is the norm.
However, Fulham's Jimmy Bullard has always been a little bit 'left field' compared to your average footballer. His cheeky grin and impish sense of humour as well as immense talent always mark him out in a crowd.
So for him the solitude of fishing is a surprisingly different form of relaxation whilst he comtinues his comeback from a broken leg sustained last September. Bullard had made an immediate impact at Craven Cottage after his summer move from Wigan and was being touted as an England possible when disaster struck against Newcastle in September.
An unfortunate collision with Scott Parker resulted in cruciate ligament damage and a trip to see renowned knee surgeon Dr Richard Steadman in America. His advice was treadmill, bike and swimming exercises to recover physically but Bullard is using the fishing to recuperate mentally.
"I get so focused, it's like an addiction," he said. "I'll soon be better at fishing than I am at football."
However, what started as a diversionary activity has developed into something far more meaningful and his competitive edge has sent shockwaves through the angling world. 'Maggie Thatcher', as he is known to some of his teammates, has already won two prizes of £800 and is following in illustrious company with his fishing rod.
Jack Charlton is argubaly football's greatest advocate of fishing and was often pictured with his cloth cap and waders on. Paul Gascoigne was converted to the joys of fishing by Charlton, and David Seaman – who was relaxed at the best of times – chose to chill out yet further on a lake.
Bullard admits that whatever fish he catches, however, are never on the menu. "All the fish go back in the lake afterwards," Bullard said. "I never eat them — I love them. I caress them back in.
"My missus goes bonkers sometimes when I come back stinking of fish, and she gets the hump when I wake her up at half past six in the morning, then bring my maggots in and the car's muddy. But she's all right really."
Bullard is not the first and undoubtedly won't be the last footballer to draw solace from the delights of a riverbed. Here are a smattering of the stars that turned to fishing...
Jack Charlton: The former Ireland manager is campaigning to keep gyrodactylus salaris, a deadly parasite, out of rivers
Paul Gascoigne: Spent a week's wages on fishing tackle in order to impress Charlton, his manager at Newcastle United
David Seaman: The former England goalkeeper likes keeping doves and loves carp fishing
Lee Bowyer: The West Ham United midfielder was filmed by Sky TV having fun at the Mid Kent Fisheries
Vinnie Jones: The former Wimbledon star loves shooting, dogs, horses, cars, making movies and fishing
