Long, long overdue imo -

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1306326,00.html

Yes, I hope it does him some good.

I quite like Gazza, despite his many misdemeanours. I have often wondered whether he would have had quite so many demons had he not been blessed with such footballing talent.

A Gazza working down the local factory with his mates, without the fantastic wealth and constant media glare could have made for a much happier, more stable Gazza. Cursed by his talent maybe. Or maybe not.

I think you are right, Anthony. He would have been a much happier person playing Sunday football.

I suspect that Rooney (so similar in many ways) is Gazza Mk II

Anthony, Saw this in the Popbitch newsletter and thought you'd like it !

We can't help thinking Gazza booze and
drug trodden path to the loony bin was
somewhat inevitable. The story of his
sad sectioning this week brought back an
old Gazza legend from when he was 18. Still
an apprentice he was desperate to impress
his boss at Newcastle ,Jack Charlton.
He spent a week's wages on fishing gear
and got the legendary angler to give him a
lesson. At the riverbank Charlton apparently
threw all Gazza's equipment into the water,
except for the fishing rod, opened a bottle
of Newcastle Brown Ale and poured it into
the water. The fish started biting and he
reeled in a whopper in minutes. So an
early lesson - all you need is beer.

Yes, thanks, ITK. Made me chuckle.

Good to see that the football world is offering support ....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7257612.stm