Ten years ago a part of a vision was accomplished, the mission continues today in the form of the Sporting Chance Clinic.
That vision was what Tony Adams envisaged whilst in his early days of recovery from alcoholism. His story and ascent from the depths of addiction is told on this web site and need not be covered here. But what should be told and what Tony should be honoured for is the set up of this unique organisation.
Many players from various sports have passed through these doors over the past ten years. Half a dozen of them leaving, and vowing to start a similar clinic in either their part of the UK or if they were foreign athletes, in their own country of birth.
Some engaged the support of high up dignitaries and in one case, the President and Prime Minister of the country. These athletes were well meaning and generous of time and sometimes money, attempting to put something back in to society having received back their careers, marriages and lives.
But all found that the vision and dream is harder to implement into a mission.
Tony never gave up, never, ever, gave up, even when their were obstacles and hurdles larger than the man himself, even when every visit to the first location of the clinic in Hook(now moved) he had to sign cheques up to £25.000 to keep it going. I was working then on a voluntary basis doing Education and Training for the charity, delivering seminars to players at Football Clubs. That is still a large part of our service today, and in 2009 we visited and delivered the seminar to over fifty clubs throughout the leagues. In 2010 we have bookings for over seventy.
When I spent time in the office in Hook and Tony visited, at least three times a week even though he was still playing. I never once heard him moan or challenge the expense or outgoings to keep the charity afloat. At that time we had no financial support from any organisation or Sporting body. Just Tony, his cheque book, and also the first ever donation to the charity from a Chef in London who saw Tony and thrust a fiver in his hand. That fiver now framed is on our office wall, and though times have been financially tight on several occasions, as yet we have not needed to bank it.
Tony had employed his own therapist who he had been seeing for a few years in London as The Clinical Director of the Clinic. James West was well known and highly regarded as a specialist addiction psychotherapist already and was highly sought after by many organisations. He was very happy where he was working, highly paid due to his expertise and with a secure position had no desire to leave.
Tony's passion and determination persuaded him, after fourteen years at The West London Mission he came on board to run the clinical side of the charity.
At that time we were not registered with the Care Standards Commission, were sited in a cottage in Hook which was not terribly suitable to the programme that was envisaged, and there was only one other member of staff.
A few months later the charity was heading in a downward spiral, the Professional and Amateur Sporting bodies that had been approached, in turn declined our requests and latterly pleas for funding.
Tony one day offered to take me out for lunch. I was still doing bits and pieces for the charity on a voluntary basis as I could not work very much due to health.
Tony over dessert offered me the position of Chief Executive Officer.
It was a complete shock and something I had not foreseen. My whole working life until illness got in the way was as a Professional Chef. I had no idea what a Chief Executive did and all I had was my own experience of recovery from addiction and a lot of desire to see the charity succeed.
I told Tony that I felt truly honoured to be asked. He replied, "Don't feel too honoured, you were fourth choice and the other three turned it down". I took the position more through spite than thinking I knew what to do.
I started knocking at doors, having doors shut in my face and going back the next week. Eventually a saviour surfaced and decided to support us.
Gordon Taylor from The Professional Footballers Association gave us core funding to do the work which was much needed. They have supported us continually ever since and we now handle all of their members who seek help.
The F.A followed, The Scottish Premier League and also The Premier League in England. We moved site to a superb house and cottage in the grounds of Champneys Forest Mere where we have been since 2002. The owner of Champneys Stephen Purdew has always supported our work and we enjoy the facilities at Forest mere at charitable rates.
We received the Care Standards approval and the first clients treated residentially completed the programme in 2003. We run out patient clinics for one to one therapy in London on Wednesdays and Fridays, and Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at Forest Mere.
We are heavily involved with The Premier League in delivering education on Lifestyle, incorporating Alcohol, Gambling and other drugs. With The F.A we sit on their Mental Health Group Panel and also deal with players who may need support or treatment having failed drugs tests or involved with anger and violence issues.
The charity has grown enormously over a short period of time, but we still treat only four clients residentially at a time.
Twenty eight sessional staff are employed at various times for their treatment during this period.
Tony Adams accomplished so much throughout his career, is treated with so much respect for his footballing prowess, and is a true legend of the English game.
But with all of the medals and cups, titles and trophies, I wonder if his biggest achievement is The Sporting Chance Charity? He humbly claims that he started it to save his own life.
Through his generosity and kindness he has saved many lives, either directly or indirectly. He never accepts people’s gratitude for what he has set up with any kind of comfort. Humility and humbleness prevail. But I do believe one day he will be even better known and respected more for his charitable accomplishments as opposed to the ex captain of Arsenal and England.