Kenneth Graham Sansom

[franksav63]

My old man tells me he's the best left back he's seen at The Arsenal, yes even better than Cuntley.

Hope he sorts himself out.

He was my friend.... I remember seeing him in a friendly at Highbury when he played for Palace before a season starting in the late 70's and he was the best player on the pitch.... loved him... stil love him and would be prepared to pay anything into a fund in order to get him sorted out...

[officepest]

Very sad news. So many ex-pro's seem to hit the skids but even more saddening when it's one of your own.

Hope he can recover

[Red Gunner]

Kenny Sansom sees 'light at end of tunnel' after alcoholism

Former England and Arsenal defender Kenny Sansom wants to get his life back on track by working in football again after years of being an alcoholic.

Sansom, 54, was recently sleeping in a church yard but has been offered a coaching role and has begun working at former club Crystal Palace.

The former left-back, who has been sober for 13 days, said: "I've lost a lot and don't want to lose any more.

"I wake up every morning feeling great and you can't ask for much more."

Sansom, who earned 86 England caps and played in two World Cups, was put in touch with the Professional Footballers' Association via his partner, and the body have given him "light at the end of the tunnel".

"They have done everything," Sansom, who was recently drinking up to three bottles of wine a day, told Stephen Nolan on BBC Radio 5 live. "They have put me in places where I can stay, like a hotel, so I don't have to sleep on the streets. They don't want me to be homeless and sleeping rough, so they have looked after me.

"A couple of months ago, I was found sleeping in a church yard. I was there for about three or four days in different places. I used to have drink in the daytime and then crash out.

"I was only drinking three bottles a of wine a day. I was drinking slowly because I didn't have a lot of money on me.

"I'm in detox now. [The PFA] have helped immensely."

Sansom, who began his football career at Crystal Palace, making his professional debut at 16, added: "I've had support from Arsenal fans, Crystal Palace fans. I did a job at Crystal Palace on Sunday when they got beat by Tottenham.

"It was marvellous because I didn't see any light at the end of the tunnel and all of a sudden there was a little glimpse.

"When I went to Palace, it gave me a massive buzz. Everyone was drinking, but I wasn't interested. I was just talking to people and I really enjoyed it. I think I'm going to do it for the rest of the season. It's just something great. I'm hopefully going to see Arsenal about doing my [stadium] tours again.

"I've got no money, I rely on my pension and the jobs that come in. I've not got a contract for jobs and I'm looking forward to going back and working on a regular basis.

"I've been offered a coaching role, it's magnificent and it's something I've wanted to do for a long time. I want to try to teach kids around about 12 years old because at that age they start to click and listen. This guy has offered me an opportunity and I've got to meet him at some stage."

After leaving Palace, Sansom moved across London to Arsenal, where he spent eight years and made 314 appearances.

But he didn't start drinking until he was 21 years old. Once his alcoholism took hold, he also entered into gambling.

"When I started drinking, I was having a great time, but I have regrets," he admitted.

"I should have played more than 100 times for my country and most probably played for another three years, had I not drunk as much. I can't harp on about the past when I've come to a stage where I have a lot of support. I've got to do it this time. I'm in a good place now.

"I lost my home [through] gambling and drinking. I couldn't pay the mortgage. I was spending the money and it was actually under my wife's name and it just got taken away.

"I thought I lost everything, so I felt I might as well have a drink. That's what makes me forget about it all. It was a coward's way out, and I did it.

"I definitely lost my son. I got divorced. I've lost money, I've lost my house, I don't drive a car, I don't have a house.

"My son won't speak to me because obviously I left his mum and he will never talk to me again. It hurts me a lot."

Asked if he was sure he wouldn't go back to drinking, Sansom replied: "At this moment, I'm going to say definitely yes, but you can't say never, because you just don't know what may happen in your lifetime."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23821613

[afcforever]

I hope he does it, one of my all time favorite players.

[StuartL]

Good luck Kenny, lets hope that you can indeed recover fully and that Arsenal are willing to assist in some way too.

Not sure why Tony Adam's charity are not involved yet ?

[Eboue-Why?]

A clip from last night's interview.
Top Man

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01fnrt7

[QuartzGooner]

Not sure why Tony Adam's charity are not involved yet ?

Sporting Chance?
They have been, so has the club.
This has been going on for years.

[DB10GOONER]

I pray to God Kenny makes it. An Arsenal legend. And a gent.

[Herd]

As Quartz says many many people have tried to help Kenny b4.........they are still trying !
That Includes the Club for once .

[DB10GOONER]

As Quartz says many many people have tried to help Kenny b4.........they are still trying !
That Includes the Club for once .

Problem is when the disease is that bad you often can't help them, mate. My mate Alski literally drank himself to death after years of everyone in his family, our group of friends, and even the local cops, doing everything possible to save him. All to no avail. He had spells where he swore he'd beaten it and would be sober for a couple of months but he always went back on the booze. Eventually he ended up homeless and begging. Spent every day drinking himself unconcious. When it's that bad, you can't beat it.

[StuartL]

As Quartz says many many people have tried to help Kenny b4.........they are still trying !
That Includes the Club for once .

Hopefully if people are still trying then it is not too late.

Needs Kenny to be the main one trying too though.

[skizz_b]

As Quartz says many many people have tried to help Kenny b4.........they are still trying !
That Includes the Club for once .

Hopefully if people are still trying then it is not too late.

Needs Kenny to be the main one trying too though.

Agree Stuart, can't help someone who doesn't want to help themselves.

[OneBardGooner]

Jaysus, that is tragic. Had the pleasure of meeting him onstage at one of those "ask an ex-player a question" things in Block 30 or 31 a few years back. I was pissed, I think he was too! Anyway I gave him a big hug and whilst initially he looked a bit scared he took it well. I was proper impressed to meet a proper Arsenal legend and he was an absolute gent although at my towering 5'8" I was a clear inch above him, which surprised me, as I always got the impression he clocked in around 5'10"... bit like the way Lefty thinks he himself is now clocking in at 5'10"!!

As a player Kenny was brilliant, one of the best English left backs of the last 40 years, rugged, skilled, fearless, intelligent, pacey and could actually cross a ball!!! (take note Sagna/Gibbs ). As a Captain he was Arsenal through and through.

a) Your figures seem off b) You forgot to mention he was 3 steps below you

I am 5'9" and 3 inches taller at the weekend

I keep telling you mate I'm too tall to join your "Time Bandits" gang

And Kenny Samson IS a legend, brilliant player.....

You are a fully fledged Time Bandit, Lefty. Embrace your dwarfism! (and no, I don't mean give OneBard a hug!!)

You cheeky fecker!...you ain't no 5' 8" - it's a typo you're only 58 centimetres and that's stretching it...


It is truly sad to read.

I know in the past when I have read of celebs and the like hitting skid row..I used to think how can they possibly have let themselves get into that situation, but I can easily see now...how in a matter of days it is very easy to become jobless/homeless etc...

I feel for him...I just hope he doesn't end up like gazza....or worse.

[franksav63]

Jaysus, that is tragic. Had the pleasure of meeting him onstage at one of those "ask an ex-player a question" things in Block 30 or 31 a few years back. I was pissed, I think he was too! Anyway I gave him a big hug and whilst initially he looked a bit scared he took it well. I was proper impressed to meet a proper Arsenal legend and he was an absolute gent although at my towering 5'8" I was a clear inch above him, which surprised me, as I always got the impression he clocked in around 5'10"... bit like the way Lefty thinks he himself is now clocking in at 5'10"!!

As a player Kenny was brilliant, one of the best English left backs of the last 40 years, rugged, skilled, fearless, intelligent, pacey and could actually cross a ball!!! (take note Sagna/Gibbs ). As a Captain he was Arsenal through and through.

a) Your figures seem off b) You forgot to mention he was 3 steps below you

I am 5'9" and 3 inches taller at the weekend

I keep telling you mate I'm too tall to join your "Time Bandits" gang

And Kenny Samson IS a legend, brilliant player.....

You are a fully fledged Time Bandit, Lefty. Embrace your dwarfism! (and no, I don't mean give OneBard a hug!!)

You cheeky fecker!...you ain't no 5' 8" - it's a typo you're only 58 centimetres and that's stretching it...


It is truly sad to read.

I know in the past when I have read of celebs and the like hitting skid row..I used to think how can they possibly have let themselves get into that situation, but I can easily see now...how in a matter of days it is very easy to become jobless/homeless etc...

I feel for him...I just hope he doesn't end up like gazza....or worse.

DB10.... 5ft 8.... that's well funny!!!

[DB10GOONER]

Jaysus, that is tragic. Had the pleasure of meeting him onstage at one of those "ask an ex-player a question" things in Block 30 or 31 a few years back. I was pissed, I think he was too! Anyway I gave him a big hug and whilst initially he looked a bit scared he took it well. I was proper impressed to meet a proper Arsenal legend and he was an absolute gent although at my towering 5'8" I was a clear inch above him, which surprised me, as I always got the impression he clocked in around 5'10"... bit like the way Lefty thinks he himself is now clocking in at 5'10"!!

As a player Kenny was brilliant, one of the best English left backs of the last 40 years, rugged, skilled, fearless, intelligent, pacey and could actually cross a ball!!! (take note Sagna/Gibbs ). As a Captain he was Arsenal through and through.

a) Your figures seem off b) You forgot to mention he was 3 steps below you

I am 5'9" and 3 inches taller at the weekend

I keep telling you mate I'm too tall to join your "Time Bandits" gang

And Kenny Samson IS a legend, brilliant player.....

You are a fully fledged Time Bandit, Lefty. Embrace your dwarfism! (and no, I don't mean give OneBard a hug!!)

You cheeky fecker!...you ain't no 5' 8" - it's a typo you're only 58 centimetres and that's stretching it...


It is truly sad to read.

I know in the past when I have read of celebs and the like hitting skid row..I used to think how can they possibly have let themselves get into that situation, but I can easily see now...how in a matter of days it is very easy to become jobless/homeless etc...

I feel for him...I just hope he doesn't end up like gazza....or worse.

DB10.... 5ft 8.... that's well funny!!!

And still a OneBard (6 inches ) taller than you!