"I love the sense of satisfaction that I get when I’ve done a swimming workout or race, and know that I gave my whole being and heart to God in every moment of the swim. It’s the best worship I can offer him."
Sober
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Tony Adams, London, Simon & Schuster, 2017. ISBN 978-1-4711-5674-8
Tony Adams played over 500 league games for Arsenal and gained 66 England caps. He worked in football coaching and management in England and abroad. As a player he was part of a successful Arsenal team under George Graham and later Arsène Wenger and was captain for most of that time. His contribution to the club has been recognized by the erection of a statue of him at the Emirates Stadium.In May 1991 Adams crashed his car when drunk and was imprisoned for 4 months. He then became a high profile recovering alcoholic, who later set up the Sporting Chance Clinic to help others – particularly sports people – overcome their addiction. He describes setting up Sporting Chance as “absolutely up there with all the medals I’ve ever won, the England caps and everything. I’m very proud of what I created here.” The book tells the story of how Adams is winning his battle with alcohol, having been sober for 20 years.
The challenges of staying sober are honestly expressed. He is constantly aware of how dangerous the illness can be, once activated, and how you have to keeping working at it: “If you stop going to AA meetings, don’t keep your work, health and relationships in balance you will forever remain vulnerable”. He refers to going to work in Azerbaijan and immediately checking if there was an AA group and needing to find someone for mutual support.
Adams notes that when Sporting Chance was established, it was mainly dealing with drink or drugs. Now the majority of clients have a gambling addiction. Adams does not mince his words: “Gambling was the silent, private addiction which could be indulged on the internet and thus more easily kept a secret, as well as not being immediately obvious. Plus it was everywhere – adverts on television, clubs having betting partners, being sponsored by them...There is also the issue of free bets, which I think will become one of the scandals of the age when all the social effects of the growing gambling culture really kick in”.
He believes that newly retired players are particularly vulnerable as they miss the camaraderie of the dressing room. If they find nothing to replace it, it is all too easy to slide into seeking solace in drink, drugs or gambling.
There are some fascinating insights into Arsène Wenger. Adams feels that Arsenal were at their best with “an English defence and more exotic overseas attacking talents” but feels that after the break-up of the legendary Arsenal back-four, the replacements were never of the same standard. He praises Wenger’s ability to keep Arsenal competitive without spending anything like what Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs did. But he feels that the balance between defence and attack at Arsenal has not been right for some years.
Adams reports once asking Wenger to compare the Arsenal team of his day with the current one: Wenger replied: “[With your team] from Monday to Friday it was difficult. You players did what you wanted to do. But on Saturday, you were brilliant and I could relax. Now, it is great Monday to Friday but on Saturday I tear my hair out”.
Adams recounts how he expressed an interest in getting various coaching jobs at Arsenal which never happened. He gives examples of expressing interest in particular jobs and being told there was no vacancy only to see someone else appointed. He felt that Wenger did not want him but was never brave enough to tell him that to his face. For all that, he clearly has the utmost respect for his former manager.
The book reveals a person who has behaved badly and lost control of his life but who takes full responsibility for his mistakes. He describes a life-long battle to keep overcoming his addiction to alcohol and a continuing humble recognition that he is still vulnerably and in need of help and support. He also has a real passion for helping others to win their battles with addiction. This is a well-written and important book.