Paul Charles Merson ( born 20 March 1968 ) is an english former professional football player, coach and sports television receiver initiate for Sky Sports. originally a forward, Merson found success as an attacking midfielder and playmaker belated in his career. [ 2 ] After making his debut for Arsenal in the 1986–87 season, Merson went on to play eleven seasons with the North London club. While with the Gunners, Merson was a cardinal actor in the club ‘s achiever under scots coach George Graham, winning the Football League Championship twice, the FA Cup, the Football League Cup, and the european Cup Winners ‘ Cup. In 1997, he joined Middlesbrough, helping the club profit promotion to the Premier League and polish as runner-up in the 1997–98 Football League Cup. After joining Aston Villa in 1998, Merson went on to become cabaret captain and played for the team in the 2000 FA Cup Final, the end to be held at the original Wembley Stadium. In 2002, he signed for second-tier Portsmouth and captained the club to the First Division Championship style and forwarding to the Premier League. A class late, he returned to the West Midlands with Walsall, where he went on to serve as player-manager until he was sacked in February 2006. [ 3 ] He former had short-change spells with non-league clubs Tamworth, Welshpool Town, Caerau and Hanworth Villa.
Reading: Paul Merson
Merson was capped 21 times for the England national football team and represented the state at 1992 UEFA European Championship and the 1998 FIFA World Cup. [ 4 ]
Club career [edit ]
armory [edit ]
Born on 20 March 1968 in Harlesden, North West London, Merson started his career at Arsenal, joining the cabaret as an apprentice in 1984. After a lend spell at Brentford, then under coach Frank McLintock, he made his debut for the Gunners on 22 November 1986 against Manchester City, and gradually established himself in George Graham ‘s successful Arsenal side of the belated 1980s. By the 1988–89 season he was a regular on the right fly, at the end of which Arsenal secured the First Division title with a blockage time Michael Thomas goal in the final game of the season against Liverpool at Anfield. Merson scored ten times that season, made his debut for the England U21 team, and was voted PFA Young Player of the year. In 1991, Merson achieved another league championship with Arsenal and had the highest goalscoring season of his career with 13 goals. He besides won a double of the FA Cup and League Cup in 1993, scoring in the 1993 Football League Cup Final against Sheffield Wednesday. A year later, he helped Arsenal win its foremost european trophy in 24 years as the Gunners defeated Parma in Copenhagen to win the 1993–94 european Cup Winners ‘ Cup. [ 5 ] Merson ‘s career was put on the line in November 1994 when he admitted to having addictions to alcohol, cocaine and gamble. [ 6 ] The Football Association arranged for Merson to undergo a three-month rehabilitation program and he returned to the side in February 1995, just before the dismissal of George Graham as director. Under caretaker coach Stewart Houston, Merson helped Arsenal reach the Cup Winners ‘ Cup final for the irregular season in a row, where Arsenal lost to Real Zaragoza at the Parc des Princes in Paris. In 1995–96, Merson remained a even beginning team actor under Arsenal ‘s new coach Bruce Rioch and continued to play regularly during the 1996–97 season following the appointment of Arsène Wenger. In a reasonably storm act, at the end of the 1996–97 Premiership campaign, in which Arsenal finished third base, Merson was sold to relegated Middlesbrough in a £4.5million hand – making him the most expensive player ever signed by a non-Premiership baseball club. Wenger had offered Merson a new biennial contract, but Merson elected to join Boro for a longer condense. Merson played 423 times for Arsenal and scored 99 goals in all competitions. In 2008, Merson was ranked the 26th greatest Arsenal player of all-time in a winnow pate published by the golf club ‘s official web site. [ 7 ]
Middlesbrough [edit ]
In the summer of 1997, Merson left the Gunners to sign for banish Middlesbrough for a report fee believed to be £4.5million. Merson said he was offered a newly contract at Arsenal but turned it down for a longer abridge and higher wages at Middlesbrough. When telling Arsene Wenger of his decision, Merson claims Wenger told him he would be paid more at Middlesbrough than Dennis Bergkamp was paid at Arsenal. [ 8 ] Merson made his league debut for Boro in the possibility day victory over Charlton Athletic in a 2–1 victory. He played a key character in helping Boro hark back to the Premier League and was nicknamed by fans as “ The Magic Man ”. Merson ‘s shape with Boro besides won him a place in England ‘s police squad for 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. Whilst at Middlesbrough he played in the 1998 Football League Cup Final. [ 9 ] During the begin of the 1998–99 season Merson stated he was home ill and wanted a tax return South. Middlesbrough late agreed to Merson ‘s request and he was sold to Aston Villa for £6.75million .
Aston Villa [edit ]
Merson scored on his villa debut, converting from his own missed penalty. Merson said in an interview that playing at Villa was the best share of his career. [ 10 ] He scored a ‘wonder finish ‘ winner versus Everton away from forty five yards out in November 2000. Merson played a key creative function in the Villa english, and helped them to the FA Cup Final in 2000, where they lost 1–0 to Chelsea .
portsmouth [edit ]
Merson signed for Division 1 clubhouse Portsmouth on a biennial contract, [ 11 ] and was implemental in the club ‘s promotion to the Premiership in 2002–03. Merson, however, felt that he was excessively old for a return to the Premiership, and wanted to move closer to his home in Sutton Coldfield. Following a potential move to West Brom which was later vetoed by then Manager Gary Megson, he was finally snapped up by Division One english Walsall in summer 2003. [ 12 ]
Walsall [edit ]
In February 2004, Merson admitted himself to the Sierra Tucson Clinic in Arizona to seek help for his gambling addiction under the advice and fiscal back of the PFA, and missed several key games whilst Walsall slipped in the league from mid table averageness into the relegation zone. however, a couple of months after his return, Merson was promptly thrown into the coach ‘s blot at Walsall following Colin Lee ‘s dismissal for allegedly having talks with Plymouth Argyle over a vacant coach ‘s position there. Merson led a dandy offer to retain Division One condition, but was hindered by a harsh death minute punishment against Crystal Palace, and finally relegated after a 3–2 victory against Rotherham United whilst having to rely on Stoke City beating Gillingham on the concluding sidereal day. The following calendar month, despite delegating, Merson was rewarded with the coach ‘s job on a permanent footing. The 2004–05 season proved to be a difficult season for Merson, on and off the field. Walsall went out of all cup competitions against lower league teams, and it was reported that Merson had had a rift with his wife, and had started drink and gamble again, whilst the press reported on him inviting goalkeeper Mark Bosnich back into the game. Walsall slipped close to a second back-to-back relegation. Merson responded by making several key signings on transfer deadline day ; Julian Joachim, Andy Oakes, Anthony Gerrard ( cousin of Steven Gerrard ), Craig Pead and David Perpetuini. Merson ‘s side went undefeated during May 2005, securing League One status for another year. After a difficult first temper in management, Merson ‘s stead at Walsall looked more plug as the club entered the 2005–06 season ; however, he was unable to lift Walsall out of the relegation zone, and with the cabaret in 19th place, he was sacked on 6 February 2006 after his Walsall side lost 5–0 to Brentford at Griffin Park .
Tamworth [edit ]
Despite a issue of offers from clubs a high gear as the Championship, Merson decided to drop down the leagues and play for half-time Conference golf club Tamworth, which surprised many but enthralled the Tamworth fans. however, the arrangement meant that until the end of the season, the majority of Merson ‘s wages were to be paid by the club he used to manage, Walsall. Merson played barely once, in the 2–1 home loss to Halifax Town. He was dropped to the terrace for the keep up game, a 5–0 frustration aside to Grays Athletic. Merson late announced his retirement from professional football as a player on 9 March 2006, less than a month after joining Tamworth. [ 13 ]
later career [edit ]
On 28 March 2012, he made a one-off appearance for Mid Wales Football League side Welshpool Town, playing aboard chap Sky Sports initiate Chris Kamara against Newbridge-on-Wye. Merson scored the hatchway goal in the 4–1 get the better of at the Maes y Dre Recreation Ground. [ 14 ] On 11 October 2017, Merson signed for Welsh Football League Division Three team Caerau. Following international clearance, he made his debut on 18 October against Pontyclun. [ 15 ] In December 2019, Merson joined Hanworth Villa in the blend Counties League Premier Division, [ 16 ] making two appearances for the Villains in sum. [ 17 ]
International career [edit ]
euro 1992 [edit ]
Merson foremost played for the England national team in 1991, being called up by Graham Taylor. He made his debut for the full England side, in a friendly against Germany on 11 September 1991. He participated in the 1992 european Championships in Sweden. He played in the unfold 0–0 withdraw with Denmark. England went out after another 0–0 describe against the french and a 2–1 personnel casualty to hosts Sweden .
1994 World Cup qualifying [edit ]
Merson besides played a contribution in the fail crusade to qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He played in the opening game, a 1–1 base pull with Norway. [ 18 ] He future played against the Netherlands as a substitute for Paul Gascoigne who was injured. England were leading 2–1, but crucially conceded a late penalty for a 2–2 draw. [ 19 ] Merson besides played in the 1993 US Cup against Brazil and Germany, about scoring in a 2–1 defeat to the late, Bodo Illgner saving from a 20-yard dart. He returned for the critical and controversial 2–0 kill against the dutch in Rotterdam. Merson closely equalised the opening Dutch goal, and hit the mail with an excellent free-kick. [ 20 ] England failed to qualify for the World Cup. Taylor ‘s successor, Terry Venables, told Merson that he would not get into the team owing to his life manner of heavy toast. [ citation needed ] In his book, How Not to be a Professional Footballer, Merson refers to an incidental in Chicago while on duty with England during the US Cup. After drinking he wandered off into the city on his own. Merson ended up in a dangerous area and was involved in trying to break up a contend while very drink himself. When the combatants turned on Merson, he fled back to the hotel. The adjacent dawn the FBI came to the hotel and briefed the players on the dangers in the city. They expressed surprise that Merson was not injured in the incident .
1998 World Cup [edit ]
Merson held the distinction of being the merely actor in England ‘s 1998 FIFA World Cup squad not to play for a top flight baseball club. In that tournament, he played in England ‘s celebrated irregular round match against Argentina, coming off the workbench and marking in the punishment shoot-out, although England finally lost. Later he said if England had won their punishment shoot-out he believed England would have won the World Cup. [ 21 ]
Read more: David Prowse
1998 marked the end of Merson ‘s international career after 21 full moon caps in seven years, in which he scored three times. [ 22 ]
Media career [edit ]
In August 2006, he commenced a column for the official Arsenal FC magazine. He besides continues to play for the England Legends, a 16-man squad of early internationals who have played Italy, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, and the rest of the earth. Merson ‘s independent job is on Sky Sports, where he is a catch reporter and regular initiate for Gillette Soccer Saturday. Merson is frequently the target of amiable dig from Jeff Stelling and other members of the Soccer Saturday jury ; for case, in his attempts to pronounce the names of extraneous players. however, Stelling himself, in September 2016, attempted to have Merson agree with him that Ireland international Harry Arter ( who had made his debut against England ) should get an England call-up in the week Gareth Southgate took over in an emergency capability following Sam Allardyce ‘s judgment of dismissal. [ 23 ] Merson writes a weekly column for the Daily Star ‘s ‘Seriously Football ‘ disengagement every Saturday and predicts scores for the weeks premier league games called ‘Merson Predicts ‘. [ citation needed ] From the 2012–2015 season Merson co-hosted with John Fendley on the Sky Sports television receiver program ‘Fantasy Football Club ‘. From the start of the 2015 season Max Rushden took on colorado portray after John Fendley returned to Soccer AM as a co-host. Fantasy Football Club is aired weekly on Friday evenings at 6pm. Both co-hosts besides co-managed a fantasy team in the Sky Fantasy ‘Celebrities ‘ League. [ citation needed ]
personal life [edit ]
Born in Harlesden, North West London, [ 24 ] Merson has been married three times ( to Lorraine, Louise and now Kate ), and has eight children, including one arrange of twin girls. His beginning marriage crumbled under his recovery from drug addiction and dipsomania. [ 25 ] In October 2011, Merson was involved in a car crash with a lorry on the M40 near Warwick, UK, and arrested for drink-driving. [ 26 ] While appearing on Harry’s Heroes: The Full English, a 2019 ITV objective, Merson opened up about how substance misuse and gambling have affected his liveliness, and his cover struggles with addictions. He received praise for his blunt discussion of the subject. [ 27 ] In the moment series Merson confided in early Arsenal team copulate, Goalkeeper David Seaman, that he voluntarily attends AA, including english speaking meetings in Paris, during breaks in filming for ITV ‘s Harry ‘s Heroes : euro … Having a Laugh, football enlistment S2.Ep1. [ 28 ] Merson participated in the Mental Health Awareness Week. [ 29 ] In January 2020, Merson spoke about how his drink, drug and gambling habits fuelled his struggles with mental health. [ 30 ] [ 31 ]
Honours [edit ]
Arsenal [ 32 ]
Aston Villa [ 32 ]
Portsmouth [ 32 ]
- Football League First Division: 2002–03
Individual