In March of 2018 Tony Adams M.B.E. visited our prison and gave a talk about his life. His story was inspiring and brutally honest and it was very well received by all those who attended. Click below to see a PDF of the article as it appeared in the ‘Penned Up 2018’ Magazine (which can be read in it’s entirety here: Penned Up 2018 Magazine)
Tony Adams Talk – Text only version:
On March 20th, Tony Adams MBE was introduced to a packed visits hall at our prison. This former Arsenal and England captain boasts a trophy cabinet that includes a League Cup, a European Cup Winners Cup and 3 FA cups.
Furthermore, Tony celebrated four league titles in three decades (1989, 1991, 1998 and 2002) – a feat that is unlikely to ever be equalled.
Tony began by telling us that he would talk about the root of his battles with alcoholism first and invite questions about his football career afterwards. Despite his insistence that he hated public speaking, he was humorous, humble and honest. He immediately had our attention when he told us “I used to drink so much I pi**ed and *hit myself”.“ 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, so my ego was through the roof, but my self esteem was so low. I was put in plaster and I was climbing the walls. I had no football, no escape. I was bored so I hobbled into my local pub. I had a pint and immediately thought it gave me the same relief as football. I spent the next 6 weeks drinking and fighting.
I was developing my drinking career and my football career at the same time. I drank for the next 12 years. For 11 1/2 of those years I didn’t want to stop.” “During that time I married a barmaid, who was a crack addict. She became an excuse for me. I could look down on her habit. I could say, ‘I might have a few drinks, but I don’t do drugs. Look at the state of you!”
When Tony described the effects that his alcoholism had on his wife, his kids and his career it was with sincere regret. “In January 1996 I had had enough. I brought my wife to rehab to sort her life out. But when I was there, two counsellors started talking to me, asking me questions. Like I said before, Ego was high, self esteem was low. I said ‘Do you know who I am? I’m fu*king England Captain!’ But they had seen behind 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.”
Sent to prison for Drink Driving, when Tony was asked about his treatment he told us.
“I was looked after. My wife was related to the Krays so there were people waiting for me. When I was there a lad had managed to get a bottle of scotch smuggled in. When he asked if I wanted a tot I told him to piss off. To me there was no point in having a tot – I wanted to get smashed off my face.”
“One time, after I had been injured by Johnny Hartson in training I was sent to the hospital. Before I went in for surgery I ordered Chablis for when I woke up. Again I had no football to help me cope.”
Tony went on to tell us about the first stage of his battle with booze, in and around Euro 1996.
“I fought and managed to stay sober throughout the tournament. This was the time of Gazza’s Dentist Chair. I had to lock myself in my room the whole time. The lads were all asking me to join them for a drink, but all I could 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 calling them names – blaming them for being too ugly.” “Finally, on 16th August 1996 I had my last drink, Guinness and Brandy, and I cried like a baby. I knew that I couldn’t beat alcohol on my own – and I felt relief. I asked for help from somebody at the club who had had similar issues – somebody I had previously avoided and I went to my first AA meeting to see how the pro’s give up drink one day at a time.”
Tony’s enthusiasm was infectious as he described playing the next 6 years sober. He became more self-confident and learned to communicate. He negotiated a new contract with the club and enjoyed the 6 most successful years of his career. He learned to be honest and face things, rather than bottle them up. “I felt that life was like a puzzle. I had my career, my wife, my kids and I was trying to fit all of the pieces of this puzzle together. Then I stopped and turned the pieces over. On the back was a picture of me. When I put these pieces back together I turned the puzzle back over and all of 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 received a rapturous round of applause before he invited the audience to ask their questions.
When will Wenger go?
“I love the man…but he has no life outside football. He just can’t let go. In a way, maybe football is his addiction”
What was Wenger like as a manager?
“Managers like Venebles, George Graham and Howe, they taught me to play. They helped me get better. Wenger was great on physiology but he never really coached anybody, he never made me a better player.”
Who was the Best Player you ever played with?
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 Bergkamp.”
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?
“It’s really sad. We have tried to help him. But he has some people around him that aren’t helping. 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.
