“I was a goofy kid. Big nose, big ears. I felt awkward and scared, I just didn’t fit in. I couldn’t talk to girls.” In fact Tony even told us about ‘Juicy Lucy’, his imaginary girlfriend. At a time when lads didn’t talk about their problems football was his escape. He loved to play and had some natural talent. Every spare minute was spent with a ball. His dedication was rewarded when he signed for Arsenal schoolboys at age 13, before signing his first professional contract at age 16. Tony then described the moment that he broke his toe. “It was weird. On the pitch, everything was perfect. But off the pitch, everything was a mess. Football brought me loads of praise, On March 20th, Tony Adams MBE was so my ego was through the roof, but my self introduced to a packed visits hall at our prison. This esteem was so low. I was put in plaster and I former Arsenal and England captain boasts a trophy was climbing the walls. I had no football, no cabinet that includes a League Cup, a escape. I was bored so I hobbled into my local European Cup Winners Cup and 3 FA cups. pub. I had a pint and immediately thought it Furthermore, Tony celebrated four league titles in gave me the same relief as football. I spent the three decades (1989, 1991, 1998 and 2002) - a feat next 6 weeks drinking and fighting. I was that is unlikely to ever be equalled. developing my drinking career and my football career at the same time. I drank for the next 1 Tony began by telling us that he would talk 12 years. For 11 /2 of those years I didn’t want about the root of his battles with alcoholism first to stop.” and invite questions about his football career afterwards. “During that time I married a barmaid, who was a crack addict. She became an excuse Despite his insistence that he hated public for me. I could look down on her habit. I could speaking, he was humorous, humble and honest. say, ‘I might have a few drinks, but I don’t do He immediately had our attention when he told us drugs. Look at the state of you!” “I used to drink so much I pi**ed and *hit myself”. Tony Adams appears at court to answer charg- Tony went on to tell us about the first stage es of Drink Driving. of his battle with booze, in and around Euro 1996. Sent to prison for Drink Driving, when Tony was asked about his treatment he told us. Gazza celebrates at Euro 1996 “I was looked after. My wife was related to the Krays so there were people wait- ing for me. When I was there a lad had man- “I fought and aged to get a bottle of scotch smuggled in. managed to stay sober When he asked if I wanted a tot I told him to throughout the piss off. To me there was no point in having a tournament. This was tot - I wanted to get smashed off my face.” the time of Gazza’s Dentist Chair. I had to “One time, after I had been injured by lock myself in my Johnny Hartson in training I was sent to the room the whole time. hospital. Before I went in for surgery I ordered The lads were all ask- Chablis for when I woke up. Again I had no ing me to join them for a drink, but all I could football to help me cope.” say was I’ll go for a drink with you after we win!” “After the tournament I went on a bender. I was partying, I was with prostitutes. When I couldn't perform I was throwing money at them and When Tony described the effects that calling them names - blaming them for being too his alcoholism had on his wife, his kids and ugly.” his career it was with sincere regret. “Finally, on 16th August 1996 I had my last “In January 1996 I had had enough. I drink, Guinness and Brandy, and I cried like a baby. brought my wife to rehab to sort her life out. I knew that I couldn’t beat alcohol on my own - and But when I was there, two counsellors started I felt relief. I asked for help from somebody at the talking to me, asking me questions. Like I said club who had had similar issues - somebody I had before, Ego was high, self esteem was low. previously avoided and I went to my first AA meet- I said ‘Do you know who I am? I’m fu*king ing to see how the pro’s give up drink one day at a England Captain!’ But they had seen behind time.” the mask. In March 1996 my mother-in-law came and took the kids from me and it was April 1996 when I admitted that alcohol had a hold of me.” “I was developing my drinking career and my football career at the same time” Tony’s enthusiasm was infectious as he described playing the next 6 years sober. He What was Wenger like as a manager? became more self-confident and learned to communicate. He negotiated a new contract with the club and enjoyed the 6 most successful years “Managers like Venebles, George Graham of his career. He learned to be honest and face and Howe, they taught me to play. They helped me things, rather than bottle them up. get better. Wenger was great on physiology but he never really coached anybody, he never made me a better player.” “I felt that life was like a puzzle. I had my career, my wife, my kids and I was trying to fit all Who was the Best Player you ever of the pieces of this puzzle together. Then I played with? stopped and turned the pieces over. On the back was a picture of me. When I put these pieces back The Dutch Maestro together I turned the puzzle back over and all of Dennis Bergkamp the other pieces [wife, career, kids] on the back were fitting together as well.” Tony mentioned his ‘Sporting Chance’ charity. “We are there for anybody who has ever kicked a ball. We help with the counselling and support that was never available to me. Nowadays about 70% of our clients need help with gambling addictions, it’s the same disease - just a different flavour.” Tony mentioned Limpar, Henry, Wright, Viera, Overmars and many more before saying, “Overall it’s usually harder to create than destroy - for that reason I would say Dennis. Dennis Tony received a rapturous round of Bergkamp.” applause before he invited the audience to ask their questions. Do you still wind up Southgate about his Euro 1996 penalty miss? “I don’t have to, he feels it himself. But I respect him for at least taking one. There were plenty of people, like Paul Ince who should have but wouldn’t take one.” Have you tried to help Gazza? When will Wenger go? “I love the man...but he has no life outside “It’s really sad. We have tried to help him. football. He just can’t let go. In a way, maybe But he has some people around him that aren’t help- football is his addiction” ing. They offer him gigs at pubs for easy cash. I changed my environment - Gazza didn’t.” What about defenders today? Could you still play today? Who is the best defender today “I would like to think that good defenders adapt. I had to adapt during games. Over the years the stats stay the same - a third of all goals are from set plays and 80% of goals are scored from inside the box. For me, the best defender today is Vincent Kompany.” After the event, Tony waited patiently and signed autographs for every member of the audience. For those of us that were there, we were privileged to hear such an honest and inspiring account of his life. Tony’s battles show that wealth and success are no insulation from demons. However, if we just ask for help we can begin to face up to and start to overcome our problems. Tony hadn’t seen as many stripes since he last visited a zebra sanctuary! After the event, Tony Adams enjoys a brew with the PENNED UP organisers, Mark Hewitt (left) and David Kendall. .