Episode 11 Late Kick Off North East and Cumbria

On tonight's Late Kick Off... In Carlisle we trust. We spend a

memorable match day with the Blues' club chaplain. We pray that

Francois Zoko scores the winning goal.

Lead us not into temptation. How Sporting Chance guides our young

footballers. And the Holy Grail.

Middlesborough's battle for the Premier League, where Newcastle and

Sunderland continue to impress. Good evening. Welcome to Late Kick

Off. Fresh faces in the studio tonight. I am delighted to welcome,

for his first appearance on the show, the former Sunderland

midfielder Alex Rae. And finally, after three episodes worth of

excuses and shameless skiving, Danny Mills is back, ladies and

gentlemen. WOMAN: Yey! Only a slight whimper from our

autocue lady. It is nice to be back. Yes. Welcome, Alex. What a

significant period you were at Sunderland. Those five years when

moved from Roker Park to the Stadium of Light. First time in the

Premier League. The penalty shoot- out in 1998. Etched on your heart?

Yes, without doubt, it was probably the highlight of my career. It was

phenomenal. Peter Reid was an inspiration. He got the best out of

everyone. And we tend to think of football in this area as a real

hotbed. You have been involved right at the centre of Glasgow as

well. Does it stand right up there? Without a doubt. I remember my time

at Newcastle. When we won, we never got out of the stadium until

midnight. There was so much carnage outside. The rivalry is unsurpassed.

Yes. I do hope that you mean that was an evening kick-off and not a

three o'clock one. Otherwise that was a very late start. No, it was a

Monday evening. Good. I am glad we clarified that. More from Alex's

Sunderland days and a certain iconic BBC documentary later on.

First tonight, we are focusing on a charity of which he is a patron.

Sporting Chance was started by Tony Adams 12 years ago. It was after

his battle with alcoholism. It helps current and former players

who are suffering from a variety of problems. These days, they are

working hard on prevention by warning young players about the

pitfalls of professional football. The modern-day footballer has it

Something that might start relatively innocently can turn into

Whether it is booze or the bookies, or some other vice, addictive

behaviour can ruin careers and destroy families. It is my own

stupidity that has put me there. And put myself in that line of fire

to be shot at. I struggled during football with addiction. With

regards to gambling, drink and drugs. I have no doubts that,

without Sporting Chance, I would not be here. It saved my life. It

saved my family. The pressure to succeed is enormous. That can cause

real problems. I got catapulted from a young age, at 17, into the

Premiership. And I did not really ask for help. I was struggling to

deal with the pressures that came. I never really reached out. I dealt

with that on my own through coping mechanisms and strategies I was

used to using. That was drinking, gambling or taking drugs. These

mechanisms were the wrong choices. Addicted to booze and betting, Andy

was admitted to the Sporting Chance clinic for years ago. -- four years

ago. He has completely recovered. He is now keen to warn others of

the pitfalls of the game. Today, he is talking to youth team players at

Hartlepool United. It is at a seminar run by Sporting Chance.

Alcohol, although culturally accepted, is a very strong drug. We

can create issues for ourselves which creates stress. So just

become mindful of how alcohol might be affecting your sport.

It is possible for perhaps young players, who might be 18 or 19, to

be perhaps taken down the wrong path. So what we are trying to do

is make them aware of those dangers. To use Sporting Chance really to

educate them at this stage in their professional career.

Football is a reflection of society. It brings with it its own unique

pressure. It is a desperate place to find yourself. Acute mental

health issues. Broken families. Financial ruin, particularly with

the gamblers. It is serious stuff. What people fail to remember is

that these are young guys fresh out of school. They have no experience

of the wide world. They are thrown into an arena where they will

probably have more money than last their age. -- lads. They will have

more time on their hands than lads their age. And they are expected to

use and spend that responsibly. It is not that we go out and say that

drinking is bad, gambling is evil. It is about educating lads that

what can happen when you do something to excess. Sporting

Chance has taken its message to 40 Football League clubs this season,

including Middlesbrough. The impact that the stories that are told can

hopefully leave an impression on young footballers. I think some of

the stories of how people got themselves into situations. How

addiction can creep up on you and takeover your life. And the

wreckage of your life, really. Very, very powerful messages.

It is a good learning experience, really. We knew about the threat of

gambling and drinking and drugs. Gambling, I think, was the main one.

I think everyone was pretty surprised at how much it can take

over people's lives. It has made us think about not getting into it.

And not going with the wrong crowd. It can happen to anybody that quick.

Alex, Clarke Carlisle said that Sporting Chance saved his life.

What did it do for you? Pretty much the same. I agree with him. I went

to a different place. It gave me a new lease of life. On the park as

well as off. It was unbelievable. I managed to win a couple of titles

once I pulled myself together. I was 29 and won the League Cup with

Rangers as well. I am just pleased I got the opportunity towards the

end of my career instead of saying afterwards what could have been.

was alcohol with you. How did you slip from temptation right into the

thick of it and realise you had a problem? It was just a progression.

I was a young boy in Glasgow starting as a teenager. Getting a

few quid into the playing days. Danny will tell you, the culture

was to work hard and play hard. I think the best thing for football

was for foreigners to come in. They did teach us about eating and

living properly. So, in terms of alcohol, it is a problem that is

likely to become more and more in the past? Simply because of the

dynamics of modern sport? Without a doubt. It has moved on considerably.

We were speaking earlier about how things have moved on. There are

positives and negatives, but it has moved on to a far better level.

Players are playing to 35-40 now. We were 30-32. Do not point at him,

playing until he is 40! Injury, not alcohol did that. Fair enough. Tell

us about Sporting Chance. It is actually a physical building or a

philosophy across different facilities? There is a facility

down south that players tend to go to. It is an amazing place. It

gives people a chance to get their life back. Players who have

finished as well, invited back down. They are open to that as well. The

key thing from there was awareness. If you can get into the young boys

early doors, you have the chance. It may not be now, it may be four,

five years down the line. It is planting the seed and hopefully

someone benefits further down the line. Danny, something that you had

become increasingly aware of? The alumni, we could get a decent first

11 of the people involved. Everybody assumes that Premier

League footballers in general have a fantastic lifestyle. They have

everything. They have nice houses, the cars, the fortune. There are a

lot of problems and pressures that go with that. And footballers are

no different. They cope with it in different ways. It has changed. The

foreign aspect of players coming in is a lot more disciplined. We are a

lot more European, if you like, in how the majority looks at alcohol.

But it is tough at times. Everyone assumes that it is very easy and

you have everything. And you shouldn't have problems. But you

have seen this from great players. Those great players now have to go

out and speak to the kids. Does the prevention seen to be working? Do

you think the kids at a young age are taking it in when a former

professional has had problems and talks to them? You have done a

little yourself, haven't you? I was at Everton and Aston Villa

over the festive period. I remember when I was 18 and I went to London.

There were players warning me even then. But you think you know better.

It is until you are on your knees that you address this. And there

was none of this when I was there. It may have saved me earlier.

think it was also kept under the radar. You were pushed to the side.

People have to go back out there and start speaking about it.

Some big news has broken on Twitter this weekend. Rio Ferdinand

revealed that Jonny Evans passes wind a lot. Who says footballers

used social media sites to impart to say, and it isn't associated

with bodily functions, you can tweet us. We are also on Facebook.

And you can send and male. -- an e- mail Still to come on tonight's

show... Feels like heaven. We are with

Carlisle's club chaplain. And is this the greatest goal of

Back in 1996, just as Sunderland had been promoted to the Premier

League and Alex signed for them, the BBC documentary cameras arrived.

Bleep machines at the ready. Here is a little reminder of Premier

passions. Look out for Alex's reaction.

Get your... BLEEP! I don't give a... BLEEP!

I give a... BLEEP! ..about losing! Not wanting to have a go!

Not wanting to get up people's... BLEEP! Get it done! Get the ball!

Why did it take half-an-hour to get going? BLEEP! Get it sorted out!

LAUGHTER. What do you say to a comment like

that? I have watched that three or four times. That is the first time

I have seen it since it went live. There used to be a pillar in the

dressing room. I used to sit behind it so I did not catch his eye. He

was like that every week. It looks like you are bemused by his

tactical prowess. There was no tactical prowess. Do you think in

the end that, as brilliant as it was to watch, and it is great from

a neutral's point of view to see that. Did it undermine Peter Reid a

little to see him ranting and raving? We were on our toes and

scared of Peter Reid. There was a lot of fear. And he got the results

over a long period of time. Players seem to have a lot more power now

because there is more money in the game. If someone did that today,

players would laugh at them. It was effective at the time. Sunderland

really put the cat amongst the pigeons in the Premier League at

the weekend with that 3-3 draw with Man City. Particularly, Alex, after

the disappointment of not making it through in the FA Cup semi-finals.

They have bounced back well. Martin O'Neill has done a terrific job.

There is a lot of togetherness in there. That is something Man City

is lacking.. When you are out there as a Sunderland player, and you

realise you are on the verge of that, and they had three points

ripped away from them, it must be so fulfilling to be out there. And

you take that kind of lead. Your chest must puff right up.

Definitely. Remember, that would have been a record for Man City. 21

straight wins at home. Martin O'Neill would have been aware of

that. They have gone out there. Sunderland have been fantastic

since Martin O'Neill came in. I think he has done a fantastic job.

For next season, Sunderland fans And getting praise from Alan

Shearer! Another fantastic day yesterday at the Stadium of Light.

And so refreshing to see a player playing with such a smile on his

face. Well a year ago at this time it people were concerned at

Newcastle, it was a bit of doom and money to spend, how well would they

do? Suddenly they have used that money from Andy Carroll very wisely.

The people they have brought in have really added to their squad.

Not a brilliant day for Newcastle's form. And his whole Swan Lake

routine but we do not do him a fat lot of credit. No, it was a pretty

poor effort to get a penalty, but I think Alan Pardew has done a

terrific job there. I think most people thought that Newcastle would

struggle this year, but I think they have done incredibly well.

other two incidents where peppy Rainer's head-butt... There is a

little bit of contact. He shouldn't have done it, but the reaction, I

think he has sneezed harder than that. Well, what is the worst crime

- to dive, to do a head butt, ought to fake a fall to the floor? Well

commie -- well, for me the dive is the worst, followed by the fake

Reaction and the head but last. was embarrassed by the reaction. I

think he was frustrated, but I think he would get a lot of stick

in the dressing room today. Middlesbrough are now six without a

win. They drew their last four. They are still level on points with

Birmingham in fourth, Blackpool in 5th and Brighton in 6th. They are

limping towards the play-offs. have struggled of late, especially

after the Leeds game. The two full- backs have just gone missing a

little bit. The crosses have come in, they haven't defended

particularly well. I think we all know Middlesbrough play good

football, but if you keep conceding goals, you do not win games. And of

late they have conceded a soft goals, preventable goals, and that

her is what has been their downfall. I feel for Matthew Bates, the

captain. His 5th cruciate ligament injury. To be now at tackling it

rehabilitation after his 5th of those... Mentally it must be an

absolute head freeze. In it will be soul-destroying, but we wish him

well because it is a difficult time for him.

From the battle to get out of the Championship, to the battle to get

in it. And whether they're religious or not, I bet one or two

Carlisle fans have been praying for promotion. Well, I'm not sure he

uses his position to help on that score, but Carlisle's club chaplain,

the Reverend Alun Jones, has a major role to play at the club. So

we spent match day with him, as promotion rivals Huddersfield came

I think my role as a chaplain for Carlisle United, which is a

fantastic and passionate role, is more to be in the background. A bit

like being a pressure release in certain situations. Everybody at

the club are human beings, so I make sure I am always available if

anybody wants to chat or if any situations arise at the club that

they want me to deal with as the You can play a vital role in sport

in bringing about discipline and self-respect. And I think they go

hand in hand with the Christian message, about being the best you

can be, raising yourself attainment. We pray that France was local

scores a cracking goal. That all players leave the pitch without

being injured and in good health. In Jesus's name, our man. -- are

men. I am off to the match now. I think

it is going to beat 2-1 to Carl you are united. -- 2-1 at Carlisle

United. I think there is big growing force

for Christianity and faith in sport. A lot of footballers, with the kind

of intense pressures that they feel, may be turning towards God and

towards faith for answers to those pressures, and finding it. But for

me personally, God is showing them a way to live, not just in the

disciplines of sport, but in that the society in which they live.

He we are at the ground, ready for a big win against Huddersfield. --

here we are. How are we doing today?

What are you filming for, Crimewatch?

Ago and bless the pitch, and the club, and the stands. And the inner

sanctums of the club. Every Monday and every Friday I say a prayer for

the club, inside the ground for the people who come to it.

The pitch is looking in great nick. The ground staff have done a great

job. Bless this ground in Jesus's name.

I have predicted and prayed for two to one. -- 2-1.

You have got a direct line... But to be fair, I would not want to

It is a place of worship. They may not be worshipping the Christian

God or our Lord Jesus Christ, but you cannot deny the passion for the

work -- or the worship that goes on at football grounds. They are going

there to sing hymns, or chant. It is a great meeting place. The

people are living out their spiritual and emotional lives in

the context of sport. So that is where I should be.

When you get a player on their own and they are chatting to you, they

will open up and say something that 90% of the time they would not say

if the friends were around if -- or if their team mates were around.

Well done, have a good one. The can just be there, and they

know you are there for them. In a supportive environment. And just

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 77 seconds

being there is often what being a Upon the board where we put the

hymns, I put 2-1. I wish it was just as simple as that. The

emotions were higher at the end, but I was pleased for the players.

We were in church praying for the result this morning, and a pot on

the board 2-1. I also said Francois would score. Malone scored the

winner. So too out of three is not bad. -- Miller. Got is looking

after us. Come on, Carlisle. Gavin Peacock, former Newcastle

player, is now a priest school in Canada. Have you ever confessed

touch the chap -- to the club chaplain? I would have been in a

confession book a long time ago. We had one at Manchester City. The

Lord certainly does provide in mysterious ways sometimes. How are

they viewed within a club? Be careful as you tell us about this.

I can imagine one or two boys in the current year Robert say, what

is all but about? And I think they help people when they -- with a

bereavement, but I think I would have to get his number when I want

to make a bet! And once issued -- interviewed the

Archbishop of Canterbury, the previous one, and at Lambeth Palace

he said he took his dog collar off, and parked his car up and they

slipped in the Finsbury Tavern for a couple of pints!

Greg Abbott said that James Barrett's goal was the best of his

tenure. They haven't scored that many great ones in three or four

jeers. But it is some slick passing, a good finish. Finally they are

pushing back towards the play-offs. They are four points clear in does

play-off positions, and they have that game in hand. Do you think

they are going to sq -- staying -- staying there? Niemoller up front

is a catalyst, they have socle, they will definitely be there in

the shake-up. They could potentially meet your

club. Yes, they beat us 2-1 last week at our Place. We have seen so

many times that team that hits the run at the right time, often goes

on to get promotion, and I think Carlisle fans will be hoping for

that. Danny Wilson said that the pitch at

Victoria Park was the worst he had seen in a long time. Which is

juxtaposed to the fact that the groundsman at down there has been

nominated for a groundsman of the year. It doesn't look that bad at

all. We have played off plenty worse than that! But at the modern

managers are coming up with all sorts of excuses blaming themselves,

blaming lack of preparation. They are just tried to defect from a bad

performance. A gentle meander to the end of the

season for Hartlepool now. I think they are probably delighted to be

still in the division. At last, a rational voice! I get all sorts of

abuse from their fans. I have to keep it interesting for 15 episodes

of Late Kick Off! We should also say well done to Newcastle United's

women's team for winning the Northern combination Football

League at the weekend. Danny, I know you worked under Alan Pardew

before. He had Africa day on Friday, he had the chef cooked up a rather

good curry. He did something similar at

Charlton, we had Portuguese week, and sometimes it is thinking

outside the box, doing something to relax the players. When it works,