by Tony Adams
I consider myself to be one of them. I feel proud of myself that these past 20 years I have shown a spirit of adventure and exploration that has taken me round the world. In fact, I recall sailing up the Yangtze river not long ago with the family and thinking that this was quite something for a kid who thought that getting over to the Railway Tavern in Stepney for a drink was a bit of a hike. Must have come from my parents, who wouldn’t move a few miles in Essex, from Rainham to Harold Wood, as they thought it was too far.
I’ve had a wonderful life since putting down the drink and, though I realise that it may not be as compelling a story – at least for some people, who like the gory details – as my life with the drink, I do think it is one whose message of gratitude needs to be out there.
Some will criticise me for that, and some in AA have. They believe we should always protect our anonymity. Indeed, Tradition Twelve of AA does state: ‘Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.’
It is worth remembering, though, that the AA message spread more quickly after a journalist called Jack Alexander wrote an article about it for an American publication called the Saturday Evening Post. The Traditions, including AA’s belief in Tradition Eleven that we should always maintain personal anonymity ‘at the level of press, radio and films’, were written before even TV, let alone the modern internet and explosion of social media, came along.
Also, I was outed by a newspaper as an alcoholic, so had no choice or control over that. Not that I resent it. I was relieved. It is just that, given the circumstances, I took the decision that the best way to use what had happened was to reach out to people.
Addicted was about helping people to stop drinking. I hope Sober will further that cause for those who want to stop, as well as help people stay stopped.
There are many players who have been through Sporting Chance, and three or four managers whose anonymity I will protect until they want to talk about it themselves, but none has been sober for as long as I have now. It is another reason why I wanted to do this book. I have experience, strength and hope. I do not boast about my length of sobriety. I cite it merely to show what is possible – and available to all.
What I really want to do is what Bill W asked us to do and everyone in Alcoholics Anonymous has repeated ever since: Pass it on.
THE TWELVE STEPS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
© AA World Services Inc. Reprinted with permission.
Anyone seeking help for a drinking problem can call the Alcoholics Anonymous 24-hour National Helpline free on 0800 9177 650 or email at [email protected].
www.alcoholics-anonymous.co.uk
Sporting Chance Clinic:
Physio for the Mind, Body and Soul
Get in touch by calling 0870 2200 714 or email at [email protected]
www.sportingchanceclinic.com
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Up against Arsenal team-mate Dennis Bergkamp during Euro 96. Because of our mutual fear of flying, we spent some time together on trains to away games.
2. Paul Gascoigne played a key role in our great run to the semi-finals in Euro 96 under Terry Venables. Paul Merson and I tried so hard to help him get fit and ready for the 1998 World Cup.
3. Ahead of our important World Cup qualifier in Rome in November 1997, I had an overwhelming sense of peace that all would be well. The goalless draw that night ensured we would go to France the following summer.
4. Celebrating with David Beckham after his goal against Colombia in the World Cup. He and I always got on well together, despite the Arsenal- Manchester United rivalry in the England camp.
5. Celebrating my goal in a friendly against Ukraine in May 2000. It was the last goal by an Englishman at the old Wembley, and meant I set a new record for the longest gap between international goals.
6. In training, we’d asked Kieron Dyer to play the Luis Figo role against us before we took on Portugal in the 2000 European Championships. Kieron destroyed us, and here we found the end result as I am just too late to stop Figo from scoring.
7. Leading England out against Germany in my last international, 7 October 2000. I knew my time was up – and so did Kevin Keegan, who resigned as England coach after our defeat.
8. Wednesday 15th December, 2004 – my wedding to Poppy. My finest match.
9. Atticus, February 2004. His sudden arrival meant a race from Wycombe at half time to make it to the hospital bedside.
10. Hector, Baku 2010. An image captured mid-way through a happy and extraordinary six years in Azerbaijan.
11. Iris with our dog, Ladykevin, April 2016. Iris came up with his name, it was too good to change . . .
12. With Oliver on the Great Wall, almost twenty years to the day after going with England.
13. Amber on her 21st, 26 January 2016.
14. With my big sister Sandra – a constant in my life through the many considerable downs and now ups.
15. Working in Azerbaijan, China and now Spain, I have only had rare chances to be with all my children – and now grandchildren. This taken in August 2014 was a very happy day with my stepdaughter Clare and her first child, Jedi. Clare has always been and is very much one of my children – I have cared for and parented her from four years old after all.
16. Fishing in Ireland – some of the best times after football have been lowkey holidays with friends.
17. Sand surfing in Jordan – a welcome break for Pops and me.
18. We found this photo in my files and as Pops says, it’s so good it’s deserving of a wider audience – god knows what Martin Keown, Tim Sherwood and I were promoting, but if anyone’s looking for a boy-band . . .
19. With my dearest friend Peter Kay, who was godfather to Hector. Not the best singer, but one of the best men. I miss him daily.
20. Caprice with Oliver at his football awards. I was supposed to give the awards out to Olly’s team but when I turned up with Cap, I was quickly substituted! A clever businesswoman, a beautiful person inside and out, she was an integral part of my life outside football in the early days of my recovery.
21. Two of the greats. Lee Dixon, Ian Wright and I have shared so much – and long may we share more.
22. With Robin van Persie – a gentleman, an incredible player and a friend.
23. A proud day in 1999 when I picked up my MBE at Buckingham Palace.
24. I was delighted that my parents could join me on that special occasion.
25. That goal against Everton in 1998 . . . Put me in Steve, I shouted, and Bouldy did.
26. Happy days! Celebrating the Double that season with Arsène Wenger at Islington Town Hall.
27. I go in for the tackle against Luis Figo of Barcelona du
ring our game in October 1999. Afterwards, Jose Mourinho came into our dressing room and asked for my shirt from the laundry basket as a souvenir.
28. John Carew shields the ball from me during the quarter-final of the Champions League tie against Valencia. After the game, I had to hold up my hand and admit to a mistake that may have cost us a chance of winning the trophy.
29. The full monty . . . Lee, me, Steve and Nigel. The famous back four.
30. Chasing Diego . . . In action against Maradona at the inaugural Robbie Williams Soccer Aid match at Old Trafford in 2006.
31. I was thrilled to line up alongside Olympic gold medallist, and huge Arsenal fan, Mo Farah in a charity match at Barnet in 2013. After the game, we became good friends.
32. I took the job at Wycombe Wanderers in November 2003 because I wanted an opportunity to practise my coaching, albeit at a very different level to the one I was used to.
33. It wasn’t the easiest of tasks, as the club was run on a shoestring, but Ivor Beeks was a great chairman and the experience was a valuable one.
34. Celebrating with Harry Redknapp after Portsmouth had won the 2008 FA Cup – but the troubles would soon emerge.
35. My first training session with the Portsmouth squad after I had taken over as manager of the team just a few months after that Wembley triumph.
36. I point out the danger as Dirk Kuyt runs on for Liverpool during our game against them in February 2009. Sure enough, a 2-1 lead with five minutes remaining was transformed into a 3-2 defeat. It was time to go.
37. With assistant Gary Stevens, technical analyst Fatih Kavlak and physio Faraz Sethi at Gabala.
38. My role there was not only to coach the team, but to help build a club – there was a lot of work to be done.
39. Gradually we got there, and this team photo showed just how much the facilities improved. We even managed to qualify for the Europa League – an immense step forward.
40. At the Arsenal with my Azerbaijan boss Tale and his wife Aylel. A singular man possessed of great sincerity, intelligence, dignity and kindness. His vision for football in Gabala and Azerbaijan remains unwavering.
41. With John Jiang, president of DDMC, in Granada, with the impressive backdrop of the Alhambra.
42. In Granada . . . My first game as interim coach of the La Liga club.
43. Well, I was described as a statuesque defender at times, mostly a compliment, I hope.
1. Up against Arsenal team-mate Dennis Bergkamp during Euro 96. Because of our mutual fear of flying, we spent some time together on trains to away games.
2. Paul Gascoigne played a key role in our great run to the semi-finals in Euro 96 under Terry Venables. Paul Merson and I tried so hard to help him get fit and ready for the 1998 World Cup.
3. Ahead of our important World Cup qualifier in Rome in November 1997, I had an overwhelming sense of peace that all would be well. The goalless draw that night ensured we would go to France the following summer.
4. Celebrating with David Beckham after his goal against Colombia in the World Cup. He and I always got on well together, despite the Arsenal-Manchester United rivalry in the England camp.
5. Celebrating my goal in a friendly against Ukraine in May 2000. It was the last goal by an Englishman at the old Wembley, and meant I set a new record for the longest gap between international goals.
6. In training, we’d asked Kieron Dyer to play the Luis Figo role against us before we took on Portugal in the 2000 European Championships. Kieron destroyed us, and here we found the end result as I am just too late to stop Figo from scoring.
7. Leading England out against Germany in my last international, 7 October 2000. I knew my time was up – and so did Kevin Keegan, who resigned as England coach after our defeat.
8. Wednesday 15th December, 2004 – my wedding to Poppy. My finest match.
9. Atticus, February 2004. His sudden arrival meant a race from Wycombe at half time to make it to the hospital bedside.
10. Hector, Baku 2010. An image captured mid-way through a happy and extraordinary six years in Azerbaijan.
11. Iris with our dog, Ladykevin, April 2016. Iris came up with his name, it was too good to change . . .
12. With Oliver on the Great Wall, almost twenty years to the day after going with England.
13. Amber on her 21st, 26 January 2016.
14. With my big sister Sandra – a constant in my life through the many considerable downs and now ups.
15. Working in Azerbaijan, China and now Spain, I have only had rare chances to be with all my children – and now grandchildren. This taken in August 2014 was a very happy day with my stepdaughter Clare and her first child, Jedi. Clare has always been and is very much one of my children – I have cared for and parented her from four years old after all.
16. Fishing in Ireland – some of the best times after football have been low-key holidays with friends.
17. Sand surfing in Jordan – a welcome break for Pops and me.
18. We found this photo in my files and as Pops says, it’s so good it’s deserving of a wider audience – god knows what Martin Keown, Tim Sherwood and I were promoting, but if anyone’s looking for a boy-band . . .
19. With my dearest friend Peter Kay, who was godfather to Hector. Not the best singer, but one of the best men. I miss him daily.
20. Caprice with Oliver at his football awards. I was supposed to give the awards out to Olly’s team but when I turned up with Cap, I was quickly substituted! A clever businesswoman, a beautiful person inside and out, she was an integral part of my life outside football in the early days of my recovery.
21. Two of the greats. Lee Dixon, Ian Wright and I have shared so much – and long may we share more.
22. With Robin van Persie – a gentleman, an incredible player and a friend.
23. A proud day in 1999 when I picked up my MBE at Buckingham Palace.
24. I was delighted that my parents could join me on that special occasion.
25. That goal against Everton in 1998 . . . Put me in Steve, I shouted, and Bouldy did.
26. Happy days! Celebrating the Double that season with Arsène Wenger at Islington Town Hall.
27. I go in for the tackle against Luis Figo of Barcelona during our game in October 1999. Afterwards, Jose Mourinho came into our dressing room and asked for my shirt from the laundry basket as a souvenir.
28. John Carew shields the ball from me during the quarter-final of the Champions League tie against Valencia. After the game, I had to hold up my hand and admit to a mistake that may have cost us a chance of winning the trophy.
29. The full monty . . . Lee, me, Steve and Nigel. The famous back four.
30. Chasing Diego . . . In action against Maradona at the inaugural Robbie Williams Soccer Aid match at Old Trafford in 2006.
31. I was thrilled to line up alongside Olympic gold medallist, and huge Arsenal fan, Mo Farah in a charity match at Barnet in 2013. After the game, we became good friends.
32. I took the job at Wycombe Wanderers in November 2003 because I wanted an opportunity to practise my coaching, albeit at a very different level to the one I was used to.
33. It wasn’t the easiest of tasks, as the club was run on a shoestring, but Ivor Beeks was a great chairman and the experience was a valuable one.
34. Celebrating with Harry Redknapp after Portsmouth had won the 2008 FA Cup – but the troubles would soon emerge.
35. My first training session with the Portsmouth squad after I had taken over as manager of the team just a few months after that Wembley triumph.
36. I point out the danger as Dirk Kuyt runs on for Liverpool during our game against them in February 2009. Sure enough, a 2-1 lead with five minutes remaining was transformed into a 3-2 defeat. It was time to go.
37. With assistant Gary Stevens, technical analyst Fatih Kavlak and physio Faraz Sethi at Gabala.
38. My role there was not only to coach the team, but to help build a club – there was a lot of work to be done.
&n
bsp; 39. Gradually we got there, and this team photo showed just how much the facilities improved. We even managed to qualify for the Europa League – an immense step forward.
40. At the Arsenal with my Azerbaijan boss Tale and his wife Aylel. A singular man possessed of great sincerity, intelligence, dignity and kindness. His vision for football in Gabala and Azerbaijan remains unwavering.
41. With John Jiang, president of DDMC, in Granada, with the impressive backdrop of the Alhambra.
42. In Granada . . . My first game as interim coach of the La Liga club.
43. Well, I was described as a statuesque defender at times, mostly a compliment, I hope.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
In Addicted I acknowledged all the people that had helped me get sober. A lot of these same people have also helped keep me sober.
Firstly, to my co-writer Ian Ridley. Ian I think you have done a remarkable job with this book and I have really enjoyed the last two years on this project. Addicted was a very different book with a very different message from a very different man. I think you have really encapsulated the change in me and got the balance right between sobriety and soccer! Thank you for making me see that I wasn’t saved from the sea to be kicked to death on the beach.