Paul Gascoigne

[Spike 12,049]

Looks like everything is catching up to him (once again). It's a shame that everything that's happened to him is his fault and his fault only. Really, wouldn't surprise me if he didn't make it through alive this time, when you've made some of the decisions he has, it can catch up quickly.

It's hard to empathise with him but it's really easy to pity.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2276394/Paul-Gascoigne-rushed-intensive-care-arriving-America.html#axzz2KU66wUik

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2QjMU83jho

[butchercoat 60]

I don't like to see anyone go down the tubes, but regardless of his football talent and the enjoyment that he has brought me on occaision, this is completely on him. His friends are rallying to his aid and that speaks greatly for Paul that he has these friends but he has got to put his house in order, no-one can battle his demons for him and is his self destruction any sadder than anyone elses?

[Laylabelle 9,535]

I just remember him during the Raoul Moat...and I hope he can turn this around and sort things out and if does get the help he needs doesnt go down the George Best route...

[The only place to be 11,313]

I don't like to see anyone go down the tubes, but regardless of his football talent and the enjoyment that he has brought me on occaision, this is completely on him. His friends are rallying to his aid and that speaks greatly for Paul that he has these friends but he has got to put his house in order, no-one can battle his demons for him and is his self destruction any sadder than anyone elses?

I don't think he chose mental illness and alcohol addiction.

[Fulham Broadway 17,315]

Gallacher scored 81 goals in 144 games and was top scorer in each of his four seasons at Chelsea......this is how he finished. Tragic.

''With no savings from his footballing days, Gallacher took numerous
unremarkable jobs, often menial, to earn a living to support his family.
After the sudden death of his wife in December 1950 from a heart
complaint, Gallacher became very depressed and lonely.

One evening in May 1957, Hughie went home after a few drinks. His
youngest son Mathew aged 14 was at home reading a newspaper. When
Mattie, as he was known, ignored him, he picked up a heavy ornament or
ashtray and tossed it at the newspaper. It bounced off the top of
Mattie's head, drawing blood. Matthew left the house and went to a
neighbour's, attempting to find his big brother Hughie Junior. Later
when Hughie Junior arrived, he saw the blood and hurtled home to
confront his father. An altercation took place and as a result the
police were summoned. The police reported the assault on young Mattie to
the authorities. Mattie was never taken into care, he simply moved
around the corner to stay with his Aunty Dolly. He was prevented from
returning home until the assault charge could be resolved. When the
effects of the tragedy of his father's suicide had subsided Mattie
returned home to stay with his big brother Hughie. He left home in 1965
when he moved to South Africa.

For weeks after the alleged assault, he began wandering the streets.
Many people spoke to him including Newcastle players and staff offering
support and assuring him that no one would believe the press and their
scandalous statements. Many offered to speak on his behalf.

Denied access to his son and with the court appearance looming,
Gallacher began to get increasingly irrational. A local reporter friend
said he looked like 'a traumatised man walking in a glassy eyed dream'.
Gallacher said to a friend, "It’s no good fighting this thing now. They
have got me on this one. My life is finished. It’s no use fighting when
you know you can’t win". He was summoned to Gateshead Magistrates Court
for Wednesday 12 June 1957^.

On 11 June, he posted a short message to the Gateshead Coroner
expressing his regrets at what he had caused, adding that 'if he had
lived to be 100 he would never be able to forgive himself for having
hurt Mattie' He then wandered aimlessly through the streets ignoring the
greetings of several people.

On the day of his death, two young trainspotters watched him for half
an hour pacing backwards and forwards on a footbridge over the
London-Edinburgh railway line at Low Fell, Gateshead. He was openly
weeping, talking to himself and occasionally pounding the bridge rail
with his fists. He stepped down from the bridge and took his life by
walking in front of an oncoming express train''

[Muzchap 8,966]

Fuck both stories are awful...

My friend hung himself on 2nd Jan - he was battling many demons (real and mostly imagined) he left a wife and 3 children behind...

@butchercoat - harsh, the problem with that response is - that's what a 'rational' person would do, these people are going down a path where they feel they have fewer and fewer options (they don't) but the mind is a nasty thing when it wants to be.

So hope Gazza gets sorted (same nickname as my mate)...

The fallout is awful and surely the PFA should be helping as an ex-Pro?

[Laylabelle 9,535]

I dont think it helps either being thats its all in the media and over everywhere.

[Billy. 2,742]

only really has himslef to blame on this tbh, he has had so many chances and help to steer clear of it all and he has not, but that being said it is sad i feel for his family

[Fulham Broadway 17,315]

A year before Peter Osgood died, I walked in a pub and he was there drinking all alone -not in an overly depressed way, but not in a 'King of Stamford Bridge' way.

As we get older we realise that our heroes have feet of clay-ie imperfections, and thats fine, thats what makes them human.

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

Don't want to sound like a bellend but its Gazza's fault hes in this state. Sure hes getting all the help he can but he already had this problem years ago, if he survives he should take a long and hard look at himself. The previous battle with alcohololish, the Rauol Moat thing and now this again surely people must be wondering what is actually going on with him? Surely he should have realised before that drinking put him in a bad state but no he does it again.

Obviously you feel for his family but I'm with Joey Barton on this one, I think people who are getting involved that aren't family or really really close friends are trying to boost their image.