England defender Tony Adams to open drink clinic for football stars

By Adrian Addison

THE England footballer Tony Adams, a former alcoholic, has revealed plans to help his fellow players by opening a clinic to battle addiction.

Adams, 33, who has been teetotal for four years, wants to help steer players clear of drink, drugs and gambling.

The Arsenal defender, who is expected to replace Alan Shearer as England captain, is negotiating to open a Priory-style clinic where football stars can dry out and conquer their demons away from the limelight.

A dozen-bed facility, paid for largely from his own pocket, will be open within the next 18 months, Adams hopes.

It will have a team of addiction counsellors using the Twelve Steps method used by Alcoholics Anonymous. Players will be required to attend regular meetings of AA, Narcotics, Gamblers or Overeaters Anonymous.

A physiologist will oversee the players' training and make sure they keep fit. The centre will include a football pitch, swimming pool and gym.

Adams said: "I want to provide a safe place, a place of hope and trust.

"I think a lot of players are reluctant to come forward because of the stigma attached to the disease and because they think it will damage their careers.

"It will be a place for mind, body and soul. There are some very good treatment centres, but I'm not sure some of them understand how and why it's important for players to stay physically fit during their treatment."

The clinic aims to save stars from the fates suffered by the likes of Paul Gascoigne, Paul Merson, George Best and Diego Maradona.

A deal to buy an Essex country house recently fell through, but Adams is now seeking another suitable property.

"I think managers and clubs might also be more likely to let their players go to a centre like this," he said.

"They might be more keen to let a player go into an environment that is football-related, rather than just suppress the problem or shift the player on to another club."

Adams, who admitted "my whole world seemed to centre around drink", will be able to use his own successful battle against alcoholism as an inspiration to those teetering on the edge of football's hall of shame.

The Arsenal captain was renowned for his hard-

drinking, hard-living ways, but now the stiffest drink that passes his lips is mineral water.

The centre would be loosely based on the Crossroads clinic, set up by the rock star Eric Clapton, a former alcohol and cocaine addict, in Antigua. Adams will also be helped out with funds from an anonymous businessman.

Last night Adams, who wrote an autobiography, Addicted, about his turbulent life, was applauded by the Football Association, Professional Footballers Association and by Kate Hoey, the sports minister.

He has already been offered the FA's medical treatment centre at Lilleshall, Shropshire, but feels that an independent centre would best serve players' needs.

Gordon Taylor, PFA general secretary, said: "It's typical of Tony Adams that he now wants to pass on the benefit of his experience to help other players.

"The pressures of the modern game mean young players are put into the spotlight. Some cope well with it. Others don't, and they can turn to alcohol, drugs or gambling."

Adams added: "I've seen too many players come to the end of their careers before they do anything about their problems. I wish I had got to recovery 10 years ago."

August 20, 2000 | Sunday Times, The (London, England). Author/Byline: Adrian Addison