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Arsenal icon Tony Adams says he 'wouldn't be here' if he continued boozing

EXCLUSIVE: A former Arsenal and Premier League icon has admitted ahead of running the London Marathon "I wouldn't be here" if he hadn't stopped boozing

[Thousands of runners pass across Tower Bridge during the London Marathon 2025]

Tony Adams is running the London Marathon over the weekend(Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Tony Adams has told Daily Star Sport he wouldnt be here if he hadnt stopped boozing 30 years ago. The ex-England and Arsenal skipper is running his first London Marathon on Sunday raising funds for addiction and recovery charity The Forward Trust.

He famously battled his own demons in his playing days, becoming addicted to alcohol. The star even ended up serving time in prison in 1990 for drink driving, after crashing his car while four times over the limit.

Now 59, he says of his addiction: Its a powerlessness. Its a real fear based, shame-based illness for me and the shame comes from the experiences that youre having out of fear. It feels lonely and desperate.

[Tony Adams]

Tony Adams has admitted he wouldn't be here if he hadn't stopped boozing(Image: Getty Images)

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He was also wracked with guilt, admitting: Some of my behaviour was sick, unpredictable But on 16th August, 1996, following a 44-day bender in the aftermath of playing in Euro 96, he finally decided to quit and seek help.

Tony says: The obsession to drink in me left on the day that I surrendered. I started to cry, I was 29. I dont know why I cant explain it. I dont know if it was God, I havent got a clue

I have had not had the desire to drink since then. But you go back 30 seconds from that moment and Im sitting there with a Guinness and a brandy in it. I couldnt stop drinking the stuff.

[Tony Adams]

Tony Adams is an icon at Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)

Tony recalls that he had lost reached a point where he had lost his dignity and no longer wanted to live: I had the moment.

Without therapy and a following a 12-step recovery programme he concludes: I wouldnt be here! He realised: My life is going to s**t.

Yet today Tony believes he is cured, contingent on following a strict routine: Going to meetings is the cornerstone of recovery from my addiction. Im very blessed. Im very grateful that Ive not been to that dark place for a long time now.

Tony has also revealed how he has been helping his own son Oliver, 34, into recovery from alcohol addiction: He came to me three years ago and said Dad, Im done!

I was like, please God that he gets that moment of clarity like I did - and what do you know he did. The star also recalls: My Dad came to me and said, Youre a drunk son, but I was full of denial.

But not today, thats all been resolved thanks to my recovery programme. Ive been able to let go of it all. I hugged my Dad on his deathbed and said Sorry!

The father-of-five, now married to Poppy, says: My life today is so good that a drink would only take that away. And the former defender is determined to help others at their lowest ebb with addiction urging them to: Reach out.

Having already raised over 11,000 for The Forward Trust, hell be taking on the 26.2mile marathon challenge through the capital, despite admitting that running isnt his forte.

Tony says: Ive got a metal knee and Ive got stents in the heart and Im nearly 60. But Im very excited as well. It should be fun. Though he chuckles: Im absolutely shit scared.

If I do under six (hours) Ill be absolutely delighted. My walking pace is quicker than my jogging pace. Im going to be bringing in the cones at the end I think.

To support Tonys run for The Forward Trust visit Tony's fundraiser for The Forward Trust. For more information visit forwardtrust.org.uk

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