Gazza was U.T.I
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:20 pm
Imraan Ladak claims that Paul Gascoigne has been "under the influence of alcohol before, during and after several first-team games and training sessions" at Kettering.
The former England hero walked away from the Conference North club after just 39 days in charge although, bizarrely, he subsequently released a statement claiming that he was still "committed" to The Poppies.
Ladak says that he spoke with Gascoigne on Sunday night and was told "I will save you the pleasure of sacking me. I will walk away. I quit."
In an official statement, the Kettering owner revealed: "Unfortunately Paul Gascoigne has been under the influence of alcohol before, during and after several first team games and training sessions.
"I have tried to help Paul through this difficult period but gave an undertaking to the board prior to my takeover that if Paul hit the bottle I would remove him as manager.
"Paul has not reacted well to the news and has made numerous threats that if I do not sell him the club he will use his name and the media to turn the players and supporters against me.
"This has already begun with Paul calling a number of the first team last night, under the influence of alcohol.
"I felt Paul had turned a winning team into a confused and unsettled one by playing players out of position and being drunk on the team bus and in the dressing room for his team talks.
"Paul has made a number of allegations which are unfounded and libelous but all I want is for Paul to seek professional medical assistance for his addictions and to stop taking his frustration out by trying to unsettle this club further.
"I would also like to make clear that I told Paul I would not bring any of this into the public domain unless I was forced to do so.
"Paul was my childhood idol and when sober is a wonderful person. Last night was genuinely the most difficult decision I have had to make, but my head won the battle with my heart. I am shocked and bitterly disappointed by Paul's reaction."