Gary Roberts Admits Drink Problem

An interests article published on The Guardian’s website today revealed a few unknown facts on ex-midfielder Gary Roberts’ time at the club.

Roberts left under a cloud just 12 months ago. Despite years at the club coming through the club’s academy, Roberts was effectively told to find a new a club by then manager Steve Holland after months upon months of disciplinary problems.

He went on to sign for Yeovil Town for a nominal fee but it took less than a season before he was sacked, again for disciplinary problems. Turning up to a club family fun day in May smelling of drink being the final straw for Yeovil boss Terry Skiverton.

It’s left Roberts jobless throughout the summer having to face up to his troubles with drink and gambling. Only just turned 22, Roberts told The Guardian:

‘Making my debut for Crewe was the highlight of my career, even more than playing for England, because it was the moment I’d become a footballer. So for it not to work out there was a real shame,

‘I don’t hold any bitterness towards him [Skiverton], like with Dario and Steve at Crewe, it’s not the manager’s responsibility to sort my problems out. Only I can do that.’

‘I really can’t believe what’s happened to me. What’s happened to my life.’

Now with the Sporting Chance Clinic, founded by former Arsenal defender Tony Adams, Roberts hopes to return to the game sooner than later and we can only wish him luck.

The article is a good one, so give it a couple of minutes of your time at:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/sep/03/gary-roberts-sporting-chance-yeovil-crewe