KENNY SANSOM'S POISONED CHALICE
During the pre-season of 1974-75, I played in the same Crystal Palace Youth team as Kenny Sansom. He was a great bloke, so talented, so charming, so brilliant. He went onto to be one of the best defenders in the world. He played for England 86 times, enjoyed an idyllic lifestyle in a beautiful mansion he shared with his loving wife and family. It's fair to say he was very successful. I thought he was so lucky.
During 2015 Kenny was reported to be a homeless alcoholic and in the summer of this year he nearly lost he life after being involved in what was described as a drunken brawl. Just this week it has been reported Kenny has been diagnosed with Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome; a condition that is similar to dementia and is caused by drinking too much alcohol. Apparently if he receives the correct medical attention and care, he will make a good recovery.I realize now it was me; not Kenny, who was so lucky.The fame and wealth Kenny enjoyed from his natural footballing talent proved to be the source of mental health problems that would plague him throughout his adult life; a poisoned chalice in fact.Let us hope Kenny gets as lucky as me and makes that recovery. I bet he is still a great bloke.















