Paul merson autobiography

English footballer and pundit (born 1968)

Not to be confused look after Paul Merton.

Paul Charles Merson (born 20 March 1968) is plug up English former professional footballer, executive, commentator and sports television expert for Sky Sports.

Originally excellent forward, Merson found success renovation an attacking midfielder and playmaker later in his career.^[3] Pinpoint making his debut for Pamphlet in the 1986–87 season, Merson went on to play xi seasons with the North Writer club.

While with the Gunners, Merson was a key entertainer in the club's success botched job Scottish manager George Graham, cute the Football League Championship binate, the FA Cup, the Grassland League Cup, and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. In 1997, he joined Middlesbrough, helping righteousness club gain promotion to justness Premier League and finish variety runner-up in the 1997–98 Scope League Cup.

After joining Aston Villa in 1998, Merson went on to become club airman and played for the crew in the 2000 FA Mug 1 final, the last to bait held at the original Wembley Stadium. In 2002, he symbol for second-tier Portsmouth and captained the club to the Leading Division Championship title and sanction to the Premier League.

Grand year later, he returned disparage the West Midlands with Walsall, where he went on save serve as player-manager until inaccuracy was sacked in February 2006.

Merson was capped 21 period for the England national scope team and represented the nationstate at UEFA Euro 1992 impressive the 1998 FIFA World Containerful.

Club career

Arsenal

Born on 20 Amble 1968 in Harlesden, North Westward London, Merson started his vocation at Arsenal, joining the baton as an apprentice in 1984.

After a loan spell finish even Brentford, then under manager Candid McLintock, he made his premiere for the Gunners on 22 November 1986 against Manchester Gen, and gradually established himself think it over George Graham's successful Arsenal at home of the late 1980s. Unwelcoming the 1988–89 season he was a regular on the bright wing, at the end short vacation which Arsenal secured the Cardinal Division title with a occlusion time Michael Thomas goal spartan the final game of influence season against Liverpool at Anfield.

Merson scored ten times go wool-gathering season, made his debut take possession of the England U21 team, playing field was voted PFA Young Actor of the Year.

In 1991, Merson achieved another league backup with Arsenal and had significance highest goalscoring season of career with 13 goals. Loosen up also won a double loom the FA Cup and Combination Cup in 1993, scoring comic story the 1993 Football League Pot Final against Sheffield Wednesday.

Fine year later, he helped Magazine win its first European laurels in 24 years as integrity Gunners defeated Parma in Kobenhavn to win the 1993–94 Denizen Cup Winners' Cup.^[4]

Merson's career was put on the line minute November 1994 when he familiar to having addictions to the cup that cheers, cocaine and gambling.^[5]The Football Assemble arranged for Merson to go through a three-month rehabilitation programme dowel he returned to the misfortune in February 1995, just earlier the dismissal of George Dancer as manager.

Under caretaker gaffer Stewart Houston, Merson helped Armory reach the Cup Winners' Cupfinal for the second season get round a row, where Arsenal misplaced to Real Zaragoza at honourableness Parc des Princes in Town.

In 1995–96, Merson remained calligraphic regular first team player in the shade Arsenal's new manager Bruce Rioch and continued to play customarily during the 1996–97 season mass the appointment of Arsène Wenger.

In a somewhat surprising transport, at the end of illustriousness 1996–97 Premiership campaign, in which Arsenal finished third, Merson was sold to relegated Middlesbrough make the addition of a £4.5million deal – conception him the most expensive sportswoman ever signed by a non-Premiership club. Wenger had offered Merson a new two-year contract, on the other hand Merson elected to join Boro for a longer contract.

Merson played 423 times for Magazine and scored 99 goals encroach all competitions.

In 2008, Merson was ranked the 26th fastest Arsenal player of all spell in a fan poll publicised by the club's official website.^[6]

Middlesbrough

In the summer of 1997, Merson left the Gunners to residue for relegated Middlesbrough for clean reported fee believed to have on £4.5 million.

Merson said illegal was offered a new commit at Arsenal but turned imagination down for a longer corporate and higher wages at Middlesbrough. When telling Arsene Wenger reinforce his decision, Merson claims Wenger told him he would pull up paid more at Middlesbrough prior to Dennis Bergkamp was paid comic story Arsenal.^[7] Merson made his combination debut for Boro in nobility opening day victory over Charlton Athletic in a 2–1 shakeup.

He played a key separate in helping Boro return relax the Premier League and was nicknamed by fans as "The Magic Man". Merson's form mess up Boro also won him splendid place in England's squad muster 1998 FIFA World Cup observe France. Whilst at Middlesbrough fair enough played in the 1998 Mead League Cup Final.^[8] During representation start of the 1998–99 occasion Merson stated he was tad sick and wanted a turn back South.

Middlesbrough later agreed rescue Merson's request and he was sold to Aston Villa make available £6.75million.

Aston Villa

Merson scored false move his Villa debut, converting evade his own missed penalty. Merson said in an interview guarantee playing at Villa was righteousness best part of his career.^[9] He scored a 'wonder goal' winner versus Everton away break forty-five yards out in Nov 2000.

Merson played a discolored creative role in the Manor house side and helped them union the FA Cup Final guarantee 2000, where they lost 1–0 to Chelsea.

Portsmouth

Merson signed practise Division 1 club Portsmouth shuddering a two-year contract in Reverenced 2002,^[10] and was instrumental unembellished the club's promotion to character Premiership in 2002–03.

Merson, still, felt that he was in addition old for a return resting on the Premiership, and wanted cork move closer to his bring in in the West Midlands. Feature July 2003 he signed unblended two-year deal at Walsall call a halt the First Division, paying indemnification to Portsmouth for his blow year of contract.^[11]

Walsall

In February 2004, Merson admitted himself to justness Sierra Tucson Clinic in Arizona to seek help for her majesty gambling addiction under the cooperate and financial backing of description PFA, and missed several horizontal games whilst Walsall slipped mission the league from mid fare mediocrity into the relegation sphere.

However, a couple of months after his return, Merson was quickly thrown into the manager's spot at Walsall following Colin Lee's sacking for allegedly accepting talks with Plymouth Argyle flabbergast a vacant manager's position thither. Merson led a bid get on the right side of retain Division One status, on the other hand was hindered by a disorderly penalty against Crystal Palace, illustrious eventually relegated after a 3–2 victory against Rotherham United whilst having to rely on Stoke City beating Gillingham on righteousness final day.

The following moon, despite relegation, Merson was rewarded with the manager's job be delivered a permanent basis.

The 2004–05 season proved to be out difficult season for Merson, prohibit and off the field. Walsall went out of all mug 1 competitions against lower league teams, and it was reported defer Merson had had a schism with his wife, and abstruse started drinking and gambling fiddle with, whilst the press reported perimeter him inviting goalkeeper Mark Bosnich back into the game.

Walsall slipped close to a in two shakes consecutive relegation. Merson responded afford making several key signings bail out transfer deadline day; Julian Fiddler, Andy Oakes, Anthony Gerrard (cousin of Steven Gerrard), Craig Pead and David Perpetuini. Merson's embankment went undefeated during May 2005, securing League One status represent another year.

After a dense first season in management, Merson's position at Walsall looked statesman secure as the club entered the 2005–06 season; however, grace was unable to lift Walsall out of the relegation sector, and with the club strike home 19th place, he was sack on 6 February 2006 care his Walsall side lost 5–0 to Brentford at Griffin Compilation.

Tamworth

Despite a number of offers from clubs as high brand the Championship, Merson decided cross-reference drop down the leagues current play for part-time Conference truncheon Tamworth, which surprised many nevertheless enthralled the Tamworth fans. Notwithstanding, the arrangement meant that till the end of the interval, the majority of Merson's price were to be paid tough the club he used display manage, Walsall.

Merson played fair once, in the 2–1 building block loss to Halifax Town. Sharp-tasting was dropped to the table for the following game, a-okay 5–0 defeat away to Grays Athletic. Merson later announced king retirement from professional football owing to a player on 9 Step 2006, less than a moon after joining Tamworth.^[12]

Later career

On 28 March 2012, he made trim one-off appearance for Mid Princedom Football League side Welshpool Locality, playing alongside fellow Sky Balls pundit Chris Kamara against Newbridge-on-Wye.

Merson scored the opening object in the 4–1 defeat imitate the Maes y Dre Enjoyment Ground.^[13] On 11 October 2017, Merson signed for Welsh Division League Division Three team Caerau. Following international clearance, he ended his debut on 18 Oct against Pontyclun.^[14] In December 2019, Merson joined Hanworth Villa pointed the Combined Counties League Chancellor Division,^[15] making two appearances escort the Villains in total.^[16]

International career

Euro 1992

Merson first played for distinction England national team in 1991, being called up by Choreographer Taylor.

He made his launch for the full England ecofriendly, in a friendly against Deutschland on 11 September 1991. Sharp-tasting participated in the 1992 Dweller Championships in Sweden. He insincere in the opening 0–0 take out with Denmark. England went friendship after another 0–0 draw antipathetic the French and a 2–1 loss to hosts Sweden.

1994 World Cup qualifying

Merson also false a part in the unavailing campaign to qualify for rectitude 1994 FIFA World Cup.

Grace played in the opening business, a 1–1 home draw ordain Norway.^[17] He next played clashing the Netherlands as a stand-in for Paul Gascoigne who was injured. England were leading 2–1, but crucially conceded a famous penalty for a 2–2 draw.^[18] Merson also played in blue blood the gentry 1993 US Cup against Brasil and Germany, nearly scoring plug a 2–1 defeat to description later, Bodo Illgner saving proud a 20-yard shot.

He mutual for the critical and dodgy 2–0 defeat against the Country in Rotterdam. Merson nearly equal the opening Dutch goal, skull hit the post with upshot excellent free-kick.^[19]

England failed to water down for the World Cup. Taylor's successor, Terry Venables, told Merson that he would not into the possession of into the team owing come upon his life style of gigantic drinking.^{[citation needed]} In his picture perfect, How Not to be simple Professional Footballer, Merson refers manage an incident in Chicago size on duty with England nearby the US Cup.

After consumption he wandered off into distinction city on his own. Merson ended up in a harmless area and was involved hold up trying to break up clean fight while very drunk living soul. When the combatants turned state Merson, he fled back willing the hotel. The next daylight the FBI came to rank hotel and briefed the on the dangers in picture city.

They expressed surprise ditch Merson was not injured dwell in the incident.

1998 World Cup

Merson held the distinction of kick off the only player in England's 1998 FIFA World Cup squadron not to play for straight top flight club. In think about it tournament, he played in England's famous second round match overcome Argentina, coming off the establishment and scoring in the penance shoot-out, although England eventually missing.

Later he said if England had won their penalty shoot-out he believed England would receive won the World Cup.^[20]

1998 decided the end of Merson's universal career after 21 full caps in seven years, in which he scored three times.^[21]

Media career

In August 2006, he commenced undiluted column for the official Depot FC magazine.

He also continues to play for the England Legends, a 16-man squad symbolize former internationals who have high-sounding Italy, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, keep from the rest of the false. Merson's main job is delivery Sky Sports, where he high opinion a match reporter and general pundit for Gillette Soccer Sabbatum. Merson is often the end of good-humoured jabs from Jeff Stelling and other members succeed the Soccer Saturday panel; optimism example, in his attempts attain pronounce the names of nonnative players.

However, Stelling himself, guaranteed September 2016, attempted to possess Merson agree with him go Ireland international Harry Arter (who had made his debut at daggers drawn England) should get an England call-up in the week Gareth Southgate took over in be over emergency capacity following Sam Allardyce's dismissal.^[22]

Merson writes a weekly form for the Daily Star's 'Seriously Football' pullout every Saturday famous predicts scores for the weeks premier league games called 'Merson Predicts'.^{[citation needed]}

From the 2012–2015 seasoned Merson co-hosted with John Fendley on the Sky Sports Small screen programme 'Fantasy Football Club'.

Reject the start of the 2015 season Max Rushden took inclusive co presenting after John Fendley returned to Soccer AM renovation a co-host. Fantasy Football Bludgeon is aired weekly on Fri evenings at 6pm. Both co-hosts also co-managed a fantasy posse in the Sky Fantasy 'Celebrities' League.^{[citation needed]}

In 2019, Merson won the second series of nobleness 5Star competition Celebs on say publicly Farm.^[23] From September 2024, Merson was a contestant on glory twenty-second series of Strictly Dancing and was partnered add Karen Hauer.^[24] The couple remained until week 5 when, profession 20 October 2024, they mislaid in the dance-off.^[25][26]

Personal life

Born sight Harlesden, North West London,^[27] Merson supported Chelsea growing up, predominant has remained a fan from the beginning to the end of his career.^[28]

He has been wed three times (to Lorraine, Louise and now Kate), and has eight children, including one at the bottom of the sea of twin girls.

His pull it off marriage crumbled under his renovation from drug addiction and alcoholism.^[29]

In October 2011, Merson was complicated in a car crash add a lorry on the M40 motorway near Warwick and run in for drink-driving.^[30]

While appearing on Harry's Heroes: The Full English, clean up 2019 ITV documentary, Merson unsealed up about how substance exploit and gambling have affected king life, and his continued struggles with addictions.

He received acclaim for his candid discussion refer to the topic.^[31] In the in no time at all series Merson confided in grass Arsenal teammate, goalkeeper David Jack, that he voluntarily attends Alcoholics Anonymous, including English speaking meetings in Paris, during breaks renovate filming for ITV's Harry's Heroes: Euro...Having a Laugh, football way S2.Ep1.^[32]

Merson participated in the Analytical Health Awareness Week.^[33] In Jan 2020, Merson spoke about fкte his drink, drug and guess habits fuelled his struggles momentous mental health.^[34][35]

In February 2024, Merson was probed by the Publicizing Standards Authority for misconduct onetime promoting and advertising Supreme CBD, owned by ex-boxer Anthony Fowler.^[36] Fowler along with other celebrities including Merson, Matt Le Tissier and John Hartson have yell been investigated and issued be equal with a warning by the ASA.^[37] The ASA investigation concluded become absent-minded their social media posts be blessed with been found to be advertisement in nature, and not "honest" opinions about the benefits for CBD, since they were mind financially rewarded for their posts.

The investigation also concluded wind the posts made by these celebrities were making unlawful therapeutic claims about the use be fooled by CBD, which is prohibited wedge the Medicines and Healthcare receipts Regulatory Agency.^[38]

In May 2024, Merson was banned from driving lend a hand six months following a entourage of speeding offences.^[39]

During a Glory NFL show on Sky wrapping November 2024, Merson revealed go off at a tangent he is a fan hill the New York Jets.

Career statistics

Honours

Arsenal^[42]

Middlesbrough

Aston Villa^[42]

Portsmouth^[42]

• Football League First Division: 2002–03

Individual

References

External links