I heard sad Gazza rambling about Raoul Moat and thought: That could have been me

Published 15:52 11/07/10

Heard a radio recording of Paul Gascogine talking about Raoul Moat over the weekend and felt numb.

As everyone knows, I've had mental health issues over the years and now try my best to limit the potential damage I had a habit of doing time and time again in my life and career.

Listening to Paul makes me, and I'm sure many others in sport and in the society generally realise that mental health issues need to be addressed head on if there is any chance of tackling or attempting to tackle one's demons.

I've just completed three weeks at the World Cup, travelling, commentating and writing and I'm very proud of what I've achieved in this last month.

I exercise a lot these days and, like I said, at least try to make more right decisions than wrong.

So hearing Gazza had extra relevance to me because that could very easily have been me wittering, rambling and let's be honest, drunk.

I hope he gives me a bell sometime. I'm no sage of wisdom but he still is a young guy with plenty to offer the game if he chose to.

I wonder who helps him, I really do.

Gazza, come and have a chat, please.

Getting the World Cup final was great for Howard Webb but having watched a the refs at close quarters, I can't help but feel that honour should have gone to Mr Ravashan of Uzbekistan.

He's been excellent through the tournament,and I can't help but feel that Howard has got his way thanks to the absolute rick that Mr Larrionda of Uruguay made to not allow Frank Lampard's goal against the Germans.

FIFA is full of politics and politicians, and what better way for King Sepp to cool down the FA's anger than give our top referee the top job in Soweto yesterday?

Or am i just an old sceptic?

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