We can't let players fall like Gazza, says Holloway as Palace boss admits he cried during TV documentary on troubled star



Ian Holloway has called on the football authorities to provide support for young players to stop them from going down the same pathway as Paul Gascoigne.



The Crystal Palace manager was in floods of tears watching a TV documentary on Tuesday showing the descent of one of England's greatest talents from football star to troubled alcoholic seemingly beyond help.



But Holloway fears the increase in fame and fortune enjoyed by young players today will breed more troubled ex-footballers when they leave the game.

Scroll down for video of Gazza opening up in emotional ITV documentary

Then and now: Paul Gascoigne in his pomp for Tottenham, and pictured earlier this month shopping (right)



'Football is so popular it's become a monster,' he said. If football is a monster, the young players are its prey.



'I don't know if there is enough support there to help their learning,' Holloway added. 'Gazza can't go anywhere, he can't do anything, he doesn't know where he is, he doesn't know who he is. It's like George Best all over again.

'Us football people have a duty to make sure our young lads don't get like that. It's heart-breaking. Let the football family get hold of someone like that and make sure we help.'



Gascoigne, 46, is not an isolated case. Another England star Kenny Sansom, capped 86 times by his country, became homeless after his life was ruined by alcohol and gambling. Once living in a £1million mansion, he was forced to sleep on a park bench. But he has now come out of rehab to take a job as a judge with Glenn Hoddle's new Zapstarz soccer school, according to bobbyfc.com.



Making his point: Ian Holloway has called on the football authorities to provide support for young players

Ian Holloway was so furious with his son for receiving a bad school report he took four of his favourite items out of his bedroom and confiscated them. His son could only earn back one per month if he behaved himself.

‘I wanted to throw them out of the window, I’m that kind of guy,’ Holloway said.

By Sam Cunningham

Holloway was in charge at QPR when Clark Carlisle admitted to being an alcoholic. The defender has written about his struggles with alcohol and gambling which led to a suicide attempt.

'Everybody thinks, "Oh, players are spoilt",' added Holloway. 'It's not an easy life. Let's try to put things in place to make sure we can help the people who go through these things.'



Holloway, 50, believes the responsibility to look after young players - to provide guidance and education in dealing with the limelight and riches that being a footballer brings with it - falls at the feet of the FA and the PFA.



He tries to educate his young players and uses former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson as an example.

