- Former AFC Wimbledon chief Danny Macklin says he has been found safe
- An appeal had been launched to find MR Macklin after he had gone missing
- Mr Macklin stated that he was found in Looe, in Cornwall by Police on Friday
Former AFC Wimbledon managing director Danny Macklin has revealed he has been found safe in Cornwall by police officers, following an appeal to find the 32-year-old after he went missing, having also posted a worrying message on his social media.
He was last seen on foot in Great Notley near Braintree in Essex on Friday, but according to a Tweet posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account he was found safe in Looe, Cornwall.
He wrote on his X account: ‘I have been found safely by Cornwall Police in Looe just prior to going into what I can assure you was cold sea water!
‘Thank you for all the well wishes – I will seek the help I need and sorry for the terrible pain I have caused so many and then seek to rebuild my career/life.’
Mr Macklin had been charged with misconduct by the Football Association on Tuesday after hidden camera recordings unveiled the former Wimbledon director made abusive comments towards a female colleague.
The comments were made about Wimbledon’s head of supporter services and ticketing Rebecca Markham.
Mr Macklin was given until December 6 to provide the FA with a response.
He said that he was ‘not sexist’ but said the private conversation was ‘100 per cent at fault’ and revealed that his ‘life is in tatters’.
He added that the comments ‘had caused so much pain for so many people’ and deeply regretted his words.
In his message on social media, Mr Macklin also apologised to his wife Claire and his Children, Harry and Ruby stating that he had been ‘the opposite of a good husband’.
He wrote: ‘I should have put family first, not the determination to be a CEO in the Premier League.’
Essex Police had issued a statement on Friday asking members of the public for any information on Mr Macklin’s whereabouts.
In a statement, they said: ‘We want to find Danny Macklin, 32, last seen on foot in Great Notley at 10.50am,’ police released in a statement.
‘Danny is 6ft 4in, with a shaved head, wearing a long black coat, a grey and black bobble hat, black jeans and grey and white trainers.
‘Please call 999 with incident 372 of today, 1 December.’
Mr Macklin, who left his post at Wimbledon on September 8, has also held positions at Leyton Orient, Southend United and Essex County Cricket Club.
Orient posted a message of support for Mr Macklin on social media on Friday saying: ‘Danny, we can’t begin to understand how you are feeling right now but please just know that we are all here for you,’ the club said in a statement.
‘It takes a strong person to admit their mistakes, which you have done, and an even stronger one to overcome the adversity that follows them. We know you can do this too. We hope that the number of messages you have received today prove to you how valuable you are to this world.
‘We are all here for you and will give you all the help you need.’
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or go to samaritans.org
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
