Is Gazza Support Justified???

By Tyne-Talk
February 23 2008

With Paul Gasgcoine recently splashed across the newspapers for being sectioned under the Mental Health Act after an arrest which took place on Wednesday. Police confirmed that nobody was injured, but they had had a report expressing deep concern for the ex footballer. Several professionals within the industry have pledged support to Gazza, but some disagree with the attention he has received.

Gazza who was evicted from the Malmasion Hotel in Gateshead hours before booking into the Hilton was described by Malmasion staff as a "potential menace to other guests".

The Sun is today reporting how Gazza was addicted to the simulant drink Red Bull and was consuming up to 50 cans a day, the effect of such a large dosage of caffine can lead to or make worse "irrational or violent tendancies". He claims to have spent £16,000 on rehab for this addiction.

Staff at his previous address The Marriot asked him to leave last month after they grew concerned over the amount of alcohol he was drinking.

"He was in a terrible state. He was drinking every day and would order pints of Stella, Magners cider and double brandies on room service. It got to point where the hotel decided they wanted him out."

It is also alleged by staff that he was spending a large amount on cocaine whilst staying at the hotel, and regularly exposed himsef to female members of staff whilst under the influence, to the point where only male staff served him. He is alleged to also have been verbally and physically abusive.

Paul is now in an intensive care unit on suicide watch and has had much support from both the general public and the celebrity world he rubs shoulders with.

Former Newcastle United FC manager Jack Charlton said:

"He's a lovely lad, but he misses football. He needs to be involved in the game. That is where he is happy."

Whilst Current Newcastle United FC manager Kevin Keegan has asked the players to win for Gazza he also offered his support.

"We will do everything we can as a club to help Paul Gascoigne, his dad and his sisters to get through this.

He was my boot boy so we go back a long way.

It seems negative when you say he's been sectioned but I really believe it is a positive thing and something which needed to be done."

Former Arsenal player Ian Wright offered his support as did Sunderland manager Roy Keane, Middlebrough boss Gareth Southgate and former England manager Terry Venables.

However former Liverpool player Stan Collymore has a different take on things and offers little support, despite being better known in the press for his alleged off pitch antics with his fists and his female companions and had the following to say:

"This is something that is quite disgusting.

There have been many, many times in the past four or five years when I really could have done with the help of my football union that I subscribed to for 15 years.

I just wonder whether it's certain players with a certain profile, who carry favour with the media, who generally get the support.

There are many players with addictions, bouts of depression, bi-polar disorder - the whole gamut - who are getting absolutely no support.

The difference with Gazza (is he is a) cheeky chappie, always smiling, lifts the ball over Colin Hendry's head against Scotland and drives it in the net (in Euro 96), Italia 90.

All those people who came out today and made comments in support of Gazza, they should support everybody in the football family.

I struggled with massive bouts of depression to the borderline of being sectioned years ago and being very, very ill.

Since finishing playing, I've not had one phone call from the PFA and there's been times which have been quite high-profile when I've asked for help or it's been blatantly obvious I've needed help."

What are your views on the subject - Should Gazza be fully supported as is the general view or do you agree with Stan Collymore's opinion?