Spurs offer support to Gascoigne
Spurs have offered their support to former player Paul Gascoigne
Tottenham will do everything they can to help Paul Gascoigne overcome his battle with alcoholism, manager Andre Villas-Boas said on Thursday.
Gascoigne has been admitted to a treatment centre in the United States after he started drinking again. The former England and Spurs midfielder is reported to have received financial support from former team-mate Gary Lineker and celebrity friends Chris Evans and Piers Morgan towards the £6,000 a week fees that the clinic charges.
And Tottenham, where Gascoigne spent four of his most successful years, have offered to support the 45-year-old through their trust, which was set up to help former players who fall on hard times.
"The club is helping with the situation through the Tottenham Tribute Trust," Villas-Boas said.
"I think it's extremely sad for a player who represents so much for Tottenham's history.
"Tottenham have made themselves available to help the situation. Hopefully Gazza can recover."
Gascoigne, who played nearly 100 times for the club and lifted the FA Cup in 1991, has suffered from alcoholism for large parts of his life.
He looked in good health when he was guest of honour for Tottenham's game at one of his other former clubs, Lazio, in November, but he was pictured looking worse for wear last weekend at an event in Northampton.
His agent admitted following the publication of the pictures that Gascoigne had started drinking again.
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But for how long?....... Remember George Best!.... who was given a new lease of life, with a Liver transplant!... what did he do!... threw it in the bin, when many other more deserving people were waiting for the same chance!... but never got it!...How many times does this guy need 'Rehab',.. and how many times will he throw it back at those who have 'Stumped-up'...... For heavens sake he was snapped supping 'Lager', at the bloody Airport!... what does that say ????
when it comes to george best the bloke didnt want to help himself and i fear gascoigne may go the same way, the question is why? when best was on his death bed apparently he regretted everything he'd done and was scared to death of dying which is understandable, he also wanted people to learn from his mistakes and that is simply what gazza need to take into account.
these footballers are paid to much and a certain appealing lifestyle is presented to them from a young age, partys,clubs,booze,drugs,gambling,women and fast cars, once you have everything and its the norm you lose the excitement in your life and then look to these thing as escapism, you gain an addictive personality, weather its down to greed or just a realease of pressure i dont know but something has to change otherwise other footballers will go the same way.
gazza can only help himself now and someone needs to scare the hell out of him with the concept of death, surely living is more important than a drink, and the way he will go will not be a pleasant one as best found out. i feel sorry for gazza but on the same note its limited sympathy after the chances he's had, he needs to find a way to put life into perspective before its too late, only he can do it, a genius footballer but this just proves we are not perfect and we all have flaws.
good luck gazza, i hope this is your time to shine in life as you did on the football pitch.
Alcoholism is not about alcohol, it is about the person drinking the alcohol. If alcoholism were solely about alcohol intake, then ALL moderate to heavy drinkers would be alcoholic.
Just as some smokers can live to be 90 with no health problems, whilst others die from smoking related disease, there are those drinkers who are predisposed to alcoholism.
To suggest that alcoholism is a "self inflicted condition" as the majority of people believe is completely incorrect...so do yourselves a favour before judging alcoholics & EDUCATE YOURSELVES by taking the trouble to read up on the subject, because you are living in ignorance.
