Addicted Samson to Make Comeback in Arsenal Spurs Derby

Kenny Sansom is excited by the prospect of making his competitive comeback 18 years after he last played for Chertsey Town, so long ago, that he cannot even recall which league he finished his illustrious career. Then again, as he put it “up until a few months ago, I couldn’t remember yesterday”

Like Paul Gasgoine and Paul Merson, one of Arsenal’s true icons has come through his own personal addictive nightmare, and through proper supervision, is contemplating his competitive comeback in the London Legends Cup between Arsenal and Spurs with Chelsea and Fulham.

Up until Ashley Cole broke his record, the Arsenal legend was the long playing England left back in history. But at the age of 33, he finished after a six month spell with Chertsey Town, and now he cannot believe he has been selected to turn out in a competitive Football 40 Legends tournament to be held at Craven Cottage on Sunday May 29th.

Sansom says: “My last competitive game was with Chertsey Town and there lies a funny old story.  But we won two cups and finished second to the richest club in the league in those days, Newbury Town.  I think it was in the Old Isthmian League.

“I finished at the age of 33, but really I should have played on much longer, but again that’s another story.

“But I had a laugh and a lot of fun in my career with Arsenal and England so I am not complaining.

“I last played for Arsenal 22 years ago but I played on for a while with Brentford and then Chertsey Town.

“I am just so surprised and grateful, I would say, to be invited to play competitive legends football.  I am looking forward to it and a chance to reminisce with some old mates and playing team mates and opponents.

“I was sitting at Gazza’s table at the PFA awards only recently and like him, I have had my personal thing, something I would like to consign to the past.

“It is funny to think that a few months ago it was all a blur, but not now, now I feel in good shape.

“The last time I played at Craven Cottage?  So long ago I cannot remember.  I can just about recall the last time I visited the ground and thought it was still there, the old Cottage, one of the great landmarks in English football, and I feel great to think I will be back playing there in competitive football again.”

Sansom now displays a clarity of mind that he himself thought was beyond him.

He can remember his last drink was on February 10, the day he accepted he was an alcoholic and he contacted the Sporting Chance clinic that was set up by Tony Adams. Three days later he was a patient there.

The signs were apparent for a long time, even when he was enjoying a career that saw him collect 86 England caps. But nothing compared to when he stopped without the adrenalin rush of the game, and at one time he was drinking nine bottles of wine a day. 

His wife Denise looks after him, makes sure he attends his sessions on time and oversees his slow but gradual stepping up of his physical activities.  “Yes, he’s going a bit of running now”

Even at the age of 52, Sansom will want to make sure that the Arsenal legends beat their old rivals Spurs, who will be fielding a star studied team.

The competitive drive is back, and that epitomises the whole ethos of Football 40.

*Tickets for Football 40 London Legends Cup at Craven Cottage on Sunday May 29th are obtainable from the Craven Cottage ticket office or

www.football40.com

 The London Legends Cup in aid of Help a Capital Child on 29th May at Craven Cottage.

11 a-side Legends Tournament featuring three 40 minute matches, Live on ITV

CHELSEA v FULHAM, ARSENAL V SPURS & THE FINAL

For tickets www.fulhamfc.com/tickets, www.football40.com or call 0843 208 1234.

Hospitality enquiries 0845 888 8884

Follow us on Twitter - Legends Cup - https://twitter.com/#!/LegendsCup
Follow us on Facebook - London Legends - http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/londonlegends