[the truth]

gazza was the most talented english player of the past 30 years imho
a flawed genius
a man who carried england to the world cup semis and euro semis in magnificent style. we saw passion, patriotism, commitment, hard work skill humour, imagination and of course tears
he could drible the ball through the eye of a needle and was englands greatest playmaker
he was the numero uno sports star in the country, fa cup medals, tv chat shows, top of the pops hit records, documentaries, multi million pound signings to spurs, lazio and rangers...he clowned , he belched he made us laugh he made us cry he always entertained etc

but then he stopped playing football and his world fell apart

gazza is a frail man, when hes not doing everything hes doing nothing , except battling his demons

as a biy he saw a man killed and it haunted him ever since. he gets flashbacks. he talks to anyone who listens as anyone who has met him will testify

but as the demons took hold, it got nasty, he became an alcoholic he beat his wife, he got more beligerent and disrespectful to life itself. he was sectioned for mental health issues in 2008 ,but he still loved football

i saw him one day talking about how hed fallen apart when he said I was offered a player coach role in north wales and the interviewer said well you loved football why didnt you learn coaching and keep playing for a few years?

gazza replied, I wpouldnt get out of bed for 700 quid

now it was around this time I questioned my own devotion to this fallen hero and seperated the football hero from the man himself

I found that answer and others that followed a tad self pitying and ungrateful.
if he genuinely wanted to find solace from alcoholism and the rat race lifestyle then why not take up a role and learn coaching away from the spotlight or become a respected tv pundit etc

I wonder if sometimes we love such people too much and this actually enables them to continue their self destructive lifestyle as with the great george best and jimmy greaves, 2 football geniuses and wonderful people most of the time

perhaps they need tough love?

I realise this is a complex issue, perhaps hed do what he does regardless of what everyone else says. but when these people get endless support, endless expenditure time and attention. when they even get kidneys donated yet still drink non stop. at what point do people grow weary and give them some tough love?

[Kazanne]

I feel sorry for him but think he's a fool,he had it all and pissed it away.

[Me. I Am Salman]

It's quite sad but I picked him for Deathlist, so every cloud

[Livia]

It's very sad... but I draw the line at referring to a footballer as a "genius".

[InOne]

Can't have sypathy for him when he stuck up for the mass killer in the Newcastle area/

[LemonJam]

I remember watching a documentary about him and his family called "Surviving Gazza" and felt more sorry for his step-son. He had (maybe still has, idk) so much dedication towards him and trying to get him back on his feet but only to have the door slammed in his face over and over.

[Brother Leon]

Originally Posted by Livia

It's very sad... but I draw the line at referring to a footballer as a "genius".

Defying the laws of Physics is nothing to a genius like this man..

[joeysteele]

He had an incredible gift as to his football skills, however sadly it is often who you surround yourself with that determines if you can be successful in beating alcohol problems in your life.
I wish him well, it is a lonely place being an alcoholic,a feeling sets in that you have to be at war with the world.
It can happen that people don't understand that someone,beacuse they are an alcoholic, may be able to come off alcohol for a time but can relapse back into it again.

Others patience runs out because life with an alcoholic usually is unbearable and everything becomes a total mess.
I hope he gets sorted,gets the help he really needs and picks himself up again. He will likely need a lot of help and support for a long time to achieve that though.

[Novo]

[arista]

Originally Posted by InOne

Can't have sypathy for him when he stuck up for the mass killer in the Newcastle area/

His mates and P.Morgan are sending him to a
American Clinic
to get cleaned out

[Vanessa]

I hope he sorts himself out. His family need him.

Whether he was a famous footballer or not is irrelevant in this story. I'd have sympathy for anyone who found themselves in his situation, and I hope he sorts himself out.

[Ryan57]

Originally Posted by Kazanne

I feel sorry for him but think he's a fool,he had it all and pissed it away.

Nice choice of words.

In all seriousness though, I do feel sorry for him. Addiction is a cruel illness. Hopefully he can turn things around.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Brother Leon

Defying the laws of Physics is nothing to a genius like this man..

Oh Brother Leon, if you think that he's actually defying the laws of physics in that clip, I'm not surprised you think he's a genius............

[Petershaw1984]

addicts are victims and deserve sympathy

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Kazanne

I feel sorry for him but think he's a fool,he had it all and pissed it away.

Couldn't have put it better myself kazanne

[the truth]

Originally Posted by Petershaw1984

addicts are victims and deserve sympathy

are they totally powerless to change?but do they deserve more time money and attention than victims such as the sick the disabled and the elderly, none of whom have self inflicted problems but instead have problems thrust upon them or are born into poverty sickness or disability through no fault of their own

[bbfan1991]

Nobody can really help him or force him to seek it unless he really wants too, it is a shame how he has gone into that state for numerous years because he will always be a footie legend regardless.

I read he checked into rehab in the USA?

[the truth]

Originally Posted by bbfan1991

Nobody can really help him or force him to seek it unless he really wants too, it is a shame how he has gone into that state for numerous years because he will always be a footie legend regardless.

I read he checked into rehab in the USA?

yes paid for by celeb friends such as piers morgan etc

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by bbfan1991

Nobody can really help him or force him to seek it unless he really wants too, it is a shame how he has gone into that state for numerous years because he will always be a footie legend regardless.

I read he checked into rehab in the USA?

Yes he has, I was glad to read that he had done that.
Thankfully and too often rarely in my view,some friends have helped him as to costs with this too it was reported.

I am really glad to see that, far too many so called friends in sport and indeed in show business too, are fair weather friends who turn away from those in need of understanding support and also in particular financial help.
It is really good to see that others have rallied to his need and I really hope he comes through and is successful at beating his problems and health issues this time.

I also hope the support will remain there for him after his initial time in rehab, he will need a lot of support for a good while from the right people to keep focussed as to his future.