Mendieta14
Well-known member
Holding a grudge after 20 years?
Paul Merson on BBC1 now
- Thread starter dooderooni
- Start date
Rofesleg
Well-known member
It is because he played for Boro and was so loved by the fans, not despite it.
To be honest I can understand the animosity being expressed back in 1998. He said some damaging things about the club, it was still fresh, he was our iconic player and talisman, the timing was awful and the full details of his problems weren't known.
At the time it just looked like excuses because he fancied going to Villa.
To still hold onto that hatred all these years later, knowing what we now know is harder to understand.
dooderooni
Well-known member
Here's the link to the iPlayer page for it.
www.bbc.co.uk
BBC Two - Paul Merson: A Walk Through My Life
Paul Merson walks through North Yorkshire, reflecting on life, career and faith.
dooderooni
Well-known member
Might well have been ravs. Last night was the first time I had seen it though.
There was another documentary that he did on BBC1 back in 2021 called Football, Gambling and Me. Maybe that was the thread you could recall.
Here's the link to the iPlayer page for it.
BBC Two - Paul Merson: A Walk Through My Life
Paul Merson walks through North Yorkshire, reflecting on life, career and faith.
I watched his new documentary last night. Quite moving at times and well worth a watch. You could understand why he left Boro. It can't of been easy living with Gazza with his demons!
So he left Middlesbrough, went to Aston Villa, and carried on drinking and gambling.
I think I'd have more respect for him if he said "Villa offered me more money, and it's a bigger club, so I went there".
wilkos_perm
Well-known member
He was an addict, you can't expect his reasoning to be that logical, but i do believe he probably felt like he needed to get out, especially with Gazza around.
I don't think there's any reasoning there at all. He was offered more money by Villa, and he took it. He didn't change his behaviour at all. He didn't need to live with Gazza, he just used that as an excuse to leave Boro. It doesn't make any difference now, it just would be better for his reputation if he told the truth. Even if he'd said he was going to try to beat his addictions at Villa, but failed. All that happened was that he was paid more money to carry on like he had been for years, and presumably he could drink more and gamble more.
madlad7773
Active member
Double edged sword with Merse. I remember first seeing him in around 1986 in some 5 a side tournament on telly and thinking he looked class. Fast forward a couple of years and hes an Arsenal regular. Damage was done early doors with the lads at Arsenal who liked a drink. Got up here and was one of the best players Ive ever seen pull on a boro shirt. Similar situation to the "Romford Pele" and needed to get out of London, for one reason or another.
I agree the way he left wasnt great, and he probably did do a lot of damage to our reputation. No malice though from me - just a great player with demons. They always say its a fine line between genius and madness..he was definitely on that cusp. As a pundit...personally...I dont really like him. Nothing bad, but seems to always be flustered and tripping over his words. I like Jobi Macanuff who seems very switched on and knowledgeable, I like Prutton as a presenter too actually but have no time for Clinton Morrison who just seems to be there for the bants! Again, just personal preference!
I agree the way he left wasnt great, and he probably did do a lot of damage to our reputation. No malice though from me - just a great player with demons. They always say its a fine line between genius and madness..he was definitely on that cusp. As a pundit...personally...I dont really like him. Nothing bad, but seems to always be flustered and tripping over his words. I like Jobi Macanuff who seems very switched on and knowledgeable, I like Prutton as a presenter too actually but have no time for Clinton Morrison who just seems to be there for the bants! Again, just personal preference!
viv_andersons_nana
Well-known member
I’ve just watched this. I enjoyed it. I was reminded of how much pleasure his football gave me as a 14, 15 year-old. He was pure class for us. When it comes to his demons and illnesses, life is too short to hold grudges. He must’ve been an absolute mess for years.
Fair play to him for putting himself out there and opening up about what he’s experienced and what he’s done to himself and those around him. I’m sure it’ll have helped a lot of people who needed it.
For me, from now on, I’ll just remember him for the football he played for us. He was magnificent the season we went up. Good luck to him and I hope he keeps well.
Fair play to him for putting himself out there and opening up about what he’s experienced and what he’s done to himself and those around him. I’m sure it’ll have helped a lot of people who needed it.
For me, from now on, I’ll just remember him for the football he played for us. He was magnificent the season we went up. Good luck to him and I hope he keeps well.
wilkos_perm
Well-known member
He seems like a nice enough bloke, shame he's lost so much time to addiction.
It was an incredible signing when you think about it. People incorrectly state that he came here and got his career back on track, but he was actually a first choice player and player of the year at Arsenal prior to signing