Paul Merson Documentary

I didn't watch it but did say over the weekend I feel lucky to have zero interest in gambling.

I've seen others suffer really badly so good on Merson highlighting his own problems. Especially if it helps others face up to their reality too. His previous with Boro is completely irrelevant now. It was over 20 years ago after all.
 
All you are really asking for is the same restrictions on gambling that existed for years (cooling off period on casino membership, austere betting shops etc).
The attitude of governments has been 'nothing we can do now, they will only go online/offshore, may as well cash in on it'.
 
,I don’t wish him any ill

But after what he did to this club after all we’d done for him. I could care less about him.

he shafted us blamed all his demons on and kicked those that helped him in the teeth.
Absolutely ! and in the programme he categorically stated he didn't want to be here, it was all down to money.
I'm with you Zorro, I couldn't muster an ounce of sympathy for the guy.
 
All you are really asking for is the same restrictions on gambling that existed for years (cooling off period on casino membership, austere betting shops etc).
The attitude of governments has been 'nothing we can do now, they will only go online/offshore, may as well cash in on it'.
Am merely asking for a ban on sponsorship from betting companies irrespective of where they are domiciled. I suspect though that Harry is probably right. There will be the gambling lobby to whom the Government will be indebted too through party donations and paid sabbaticals etc.
 
Genuine question...........

Over the course of your life do you know more people who have had their health/well being adversely affected by alcohol, smoking or gambling?

For me it is massively alcohol in the last twenty years, and the twenty before that elderly relatives dying from smoking related diseases. I personally don't know anyone who has been really badly affected by gambling.

Am I an exception?

It always seems when gambling is raised on here there's a passionate vocal cadre wanting shirt sponsorship banned and extra controls brought in.

You never hear many people espousing much stricter controls on cigarettes and alcohol. I'm not sure why that is.

I'm sure misuse/over use of alcohol causes more damage in the UK than gambling every year at a greater cost to the NHS & police etc.
 
C137. There is a ban on tobacco sponsorship already of course which has been good. I’m also in favour of banning alcohol company sponsorship too on the basis of your points.
 
C137. There is a ban on tobacco sponsorship already of course which has been good. I’m also in favour of banning alcohol company sponsorship too on the basis of your points.
Yes of course, I was more meaning how many people you know who have been adversely affected by cigarettes/alcohol/gambling.

Do you think advertising bans have had much impact on smoking & drinking?
 
Yes of course, I was more meaning how many people you know who have been adversely affected by cigarettes/alcohol/gambling.

Do you think advertising bans have had much impact on smoking & drinking?
Yes and facts back that up

Advertising Bans Reduce Tobacco Use
• Strong, comprehensive laws that eliminate all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion reduce tobacco consumption and therefore prevent tobacco-related disease and death.26
• A recent analysis of tobacco consumption and advertising bans in 102 countries found that a comprehensive set of tobacco advertising bans can reduce tobacco consumption, whereas a partial ban will have little or no effect.27
• Research on 22 countries published in 2000 indicated that a comprehensive advertising and promotion ban can reduce cigarette smoking by 7.4 percent and overall tobacco consumption by 5.4 percent.27
• Four countries with tobacco advertising bans as part of a comprehensive tobacco control policy experienced per capita reductions in cigarette consumption of between 14 percent and 37 percent.3
 
Bit harsh considering the numerous excellent bits of advice I have seen posters on here give you. I agree that some comments above are wrong about Merson and addiction but no need to tarnish everyone under the same brush and the generosity towards you on this board has been massive.
I stand by my comments. Sorry if you think I’m being harsh. This place - and please notice I said at times - stinks.
 
Some of the life stories on the programme, not just Merson's, were pretty harrowing. But it's a difficult line to draw. Millions of people gamble for enjoyment with no ill effects.

Similarly loads of people see McDonalds advertising and eat their meals occasionally without any problems whilst others will eat them every day, make themselves obese and then die.

Most people, buy shares, drink alcohol, drive fast cars responsibly and without any ill effect. Others do it to excess and lose everything including their lives.

If these things are legal then there will be people who will abuse them to excess. Merson was a gambling addict in the early 80s when there was just a bookie on a street corner so I don't think he can lay has problems at manipulative advertising (although others likely can).
 
There was an interesting (to me anyway) shift of emphasis in the programme. The first half was all about Merson and his mates and how weak they all were, and felt they were. The thing that struck me about the golf section was that they were all bored and lonely young men, who had no idea how to entertain (or better) themselves once the training stopped and they were stuck in a hotel room with a telly for company. I'm not suggesting anything as crass as having a hobby or whatever but they were clearly ill-prepared for just periods of boredom or down time. I guess if you've been plucked out of school at 14-15 and known nothing but football, that will happen.

The second half - once he'd had his brain scan - seemed more about "I was born this way, and now the gambling companies are exploiting me". I have a lot of sympathy for this but at the same time I suspect it allows some ducking of personal responsibility.

I have to admit I was annoyed about his comments about us, especially him quoting the Blackmore comment; especially when it was bookmarked by him greeting the fans outside the Riverside. He still can't even get our name right.
 
I don’t wish him any ill

But after what he did to this club after all we’d done for him. I could care less about him.

he shafted us blamed all his demons on and kicked those that helped him in the teeth.
You could care less? Or you couldn’t care less?
 
The thing that struck me about the golf section was that they were all bored and lonely young men, who had no idea how to entertain (or better) themselves once the training stopped and they were stuck in a hotel room with a telly for company. I'm not suggesting anything as crass as having a hobby or whatever but they were clearly ill-prepared for just periods of boredom or down time.

Yes and I guess the advent of the smartphone has saved many a footballer since - together with the improvement in mental health and well-being in football clubs.
 
Merson by doing the documentary may help bring pressure to reduce the pervasiveness of gambling in our sporting culture. I am as guilty as the next man for having a go on the fixed odds and big sporting events and like to think I know when to stop, but can see when hovering over South American World Cup Qualifers how easy it is to get suckered in beyond your comfort. Some people don't have that off switch when it comes to gambling, the same with other addictions. The way betting has become so intertwined with sport in the internet age has coincided with the ban on tobacco advertising, hopefully the government will go the same way with the betting industry.

As for the personal beef with Merson, he was a fantastic player for us in his one season, yes he said some silly things when he left, but remember the club was culpable in some ways too.....fantastic idea to have Gazza and Merse living together!
 
Yes of course, I was more meaning how many people you know who have been adversely affected by cigarettes/alcohol/gambling.

Do you think advertising bans have had much impact on smoking & drinking?

I get where you're coming from, but I think the big difference between smoking / drinking and gambling, is it's a much more silent addiction and thus more damaging in the long run.

You see someone drinking more and more, and can try interventions and try to help them, but someone could be addicted to gambling and losing the family home etc before you even realize they have a problem.
 
Genuine question...........

Over the course of your life do you know more people who have had their health/well being adversely affected by alcohol, smoking or gambling?

For me it is massively alcohol in the last twenty years, and the twenty before that elderly relatives dying from smoking related diseases. I personally don't know anyone who has been really badly affected by gambling.

Am I an exception?

It always seems when gambling is raised on here there's a passionate vocal cadre wanting shirt sponsorship banned and extra controls brought in.

You never hear many people espousing much stricter controls on cigarettes and alcohol. I'm not sure why that is.

I'm sure misuse/over use of alcohol causes more damage in the UK than gambling every year at a greater cost to the NHS & police etc.
Im with you on controls on cigarettes and alcohol.
Less people die or are killed each year by heroine and illicit drug use than alcohol - including related violence and abuse.
The cost to the emergency services - particularly road-traffic incidents and the cost of policing violence and disruption in town centres when the pubs / clubs turn out - is enormous.
Alcohol is a legal drug yet the consequences costs us a fortune.
Looking at people with alcohol-related diseases in hospital beds is not a positive experience: neither is seeing the results of alcohol fueled domestic violence, including children
 
If these things are legal then there will be people who will abuse them to excess. Merson was a gambling addict in the early 80s when there was just a bookie on a street corner so I don't think he can lay has problems at manipulative advertising (although others likely can).
Didn't he say ( I think I recall this from an article) that whilst he had a problem in the 80's it was limited because of the availability of bookmakers, and his problems really blew up when he could bet via phone (and then online) and on just about anything - whereas he'd been limited to a few sports he was suddenly betting on obscure sports and leagues ?
 
Yes of course, I was more meaning how many people you know who have been adversely affected by cigarettes/alcohol/gambling.

Do you think advertising bans have had much impact on smoking & drinking?
I think smoking has certainly reduced since I was in my 20s (90s), but that's more down to the ban in pubs in my opinion, maybe the advertising ban and that go hand in hand.....difficult to ban advertising when everyone sparks up and smokes passively indoors? As for alcohol, any advertising ban is counteracted by how easy and cheap alcohol is now and I guess the same would be the case for betting?
 
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