Times
‘An emotional Paul Gascoigne last night rejected the claims of Imraan Ladak, the Kettering Town chairman and owner, that he had been drinking on 37 separate occasions since he joined the Nationwide Conference North club six weeks ago. While Gascoigne admitted drinking a double brandy before a game and a glass of wine afterwards, he said that in the past it had been “four bottles of whisky”.
‘Gascoigne, who contradicted and repeated himself on numerous occasions, appeared confused and almost broke down at one stage. He said that, despite having been dismissed by Ladak on Sunday evening and replaced by Kevin Wilson, his predecessor, he will turn up for the team bus when Kettering leave to play away to Alfreton Town this evening.
‘He added that the reason for the breakdown in his relationship with Ladak was because of the chairman’s interference with team selection. “I’ve been let down,” Gascoigne said. “Ladak wanted his team and I rejected that. I played my team. The players are still behind me, Kettering is behind me, the staff is behind me, everyone is behind me. Unfortunately, the chairman is not.
‘“I am going to continue and bring this club forward. I am Paul Gascoigne the footballer. He [Ladak] says he’s been watching football for 20 years, five days a week and knows how football should be played, but the guy can’t trap a bag of cement.
‘“I’m going to continue to do it my way. I know as a manager you have to abide by the chairman’s decisions. But his decisions were this team, that team, this player, that player. The chairman is a control freak.”
‘Gascoigne added: “I’m sacked, but I’m turning up for the Alfreton game. I’m the next Brian Clough, I won’t walk away. Anyway, how can you sack anyone who still hasn’t got a contract. I’ll be there for the game and I’ll stand behind the dugout giving instructions to the players from there. They will respond to me more than the next manager.
‘“The drink? Yes, I’ve had tough times in my life, especially the last year, regarding my ex-wife, my kids, I nearly broke my neck, I was on death row with pneumonia. I’ve had to deal with everything but everyone has helped me, including Sir Alex Ferguson, to get through. George Best was a good friend of mine. We loved each other, we both knew where we were coming from.”
‘Ladak’s patience ran out after a series of alleged incidents, most appearing to be alcohol-related, during Gascoigne’s 39-day tenure. He claimed that Gascoigne had been under the influence before, during and after several first-team matches and training sessions and that “a referee and fourth official have filed a report with the FA”.
‘Ladak suggested that Gascoigne should have medical advice. “All I want is for Paul to seek professional assistance for his addictions and to stop taking his frustration out by trying to unsettle this club further.”
‘Gascoigne, without giving specific details of which match he was referring to, countered: “I’ll tell you the truth: I had a double brandy before the game but, before, it used to be four bottles of whisky. Not any more. I was fine. I had a glass of wine after the game. But it was just a mouthful. Thirty-seven incidents? Ask the staff.”
‘Gascoigne’s indication that he will try to buy out Ladak may be wishful thinking. A PR firm in the former England player’s name was placed in liquidation two months ago. “I’m a millionaire and I’m angry,” Gascoigne said in an interview with Sky Sports News. “I love Kettering. If that wasn’t the case, I wouldn’t be asking to get £100,000 out of the bank today to buy shares in this club.’