Gazza urges Kenny Sansom to stay in rehab

Paul Gascoigne has pleaded for troubled former England and Arsenal star Kenny Sansom to stay in rehab because it is his best chance of kicking alcohol into touch. Former England and Tottenham midfielder Gascoigne, who himself has battled mental illness, drugs and alcohol addiction, urged Sansom not to “do a runner” from the detox clinic, adding that he needs to “stop whingeing and get on with it”. (Ian West/PA) Gascoigne was speaking after media photographs showed a dishevelled Sansom, 56, swigging from a bottle and slumped in a park. The Professional Footballers’ Association have confirmed that the former England defender has entered a detox programme and will be given all the support he needs to beat alcoholism and a gambling addiction. Gascoigne, 48, who was attending the south London premiere of a film on his life, troubles and career, warned Sansom that getting sober “is tough. It is not a nice thing”. Would like to wish former #Gunner Kenny Sansom all the best on his recovery. #AFC #GoonerFamily pic.twitter.com/58DfXHy2TY — Dan Floyd (@Danielfloyd1981) May 19, 2015 He said that Sansom will have to get to grips with the fact that “sometimes (people) have to be harsh” in order for you to overcome alcohol problems. Offering personal words of advice, Gascoigne said: “Kenny, if you want help – ask for it, because there are people out there who are willing to help you. Stop whingeing and get on with it. “I have slipped up a few times , I will be the first to admit that, but at least I went in there and stuck it out. I did my time and have come out the better side of it.Sometimes when so much gets on top of (me) I forget to ask for help.” Former England footballer Stuart Pearce was at the screening too (Ian West/PA) Gascoigne’s 90-minute documentary has been written and directed by filmmaker Jane Preston. It includes contributions from Gary Lineker, Jose Mourinho and Wayne Rooney , who described Gascoigne as the best player ever to have worn an England shirt. It charts his rise from a young lad kicking a tennis ball on the streets of Gateshead, through his rocky career, marred by injury and much-hyped transfer deals, and overcoming the lows of his addiction. Gascogine set a record when he transferred from Tottenham Hotspur to Italian club Lazio for £8.5 million in 1992, and is etched in sporting history for crying in front of millions when he was booked in the 1990 World Cup semi-final for England – which would have meant he missed the final, had England managed to overcome West Germany. Sansom won 86 caps between 1979 and 1988, making more than 300 appearances for Arsenal having joined the Gunners from Crystal Palace, where he broke into the first team at the age of just 16. He has previously said he contemplated suicide after becoming homeless because of his drinking and gambling problems. Gascoigne is released in cinemas for one night only, tonight, and will be available on DVD from Monday June 15.

Source: SNAPPA