Former Walsall midfielder Darren Wrack can help inspire Paul Gascoigne to overcome his recent problems, according to PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor.
In an exclusive interview with The Express & Star, Wrack recently admitted to a 16-year gambling addiction which led to him squandering in excess of £500,000.
The 31-year-old even considered suicide over the compulsive betting but has taken the first steps towards getting his life back on track.
He has gone more than two months without making a bet after a spell in the part PFA-funded Sporting Chance clinic in Hampshire.
Taylor hopes Wrack’s attempts to tackle his demons head on can now be mirrored by Gascoigne, who has struggled to cope with mental health and alcohol problems in recent months.
The ex-England star is currently being treated in London’s Priory clinic and has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act twice in the last four months – leading to grave concern across the country for his well being.
Taylor said: “I have had a very nice letter from Darren.
“I have just said ‘it’s never over, it’s never done but we will always be there for you. Each day at a time we hope you can overcome it because it needs people like you to show it can be done.’
‘It also needs them to show that these addictive problems can be beaten.
“We need the likes of Paul Merson and Darren to help convince Paul Gascoigne that it can be done.
“He has been very brave and very strong and that is probably the very beginning of the healing process.
“We will be trying to help him find a new club, that’s the job we do. Then you need another club to have some faith in him.
“He has not let us down and I am sure he will not let a club down.”
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