Paterson: ‘I blew £1m at bookies’
Ex Dons boss reveals gambling nightmare
Published:
FRIENDS of former Dons manager Steve Paterson today rallied round him after he revealed he had blown £1 million at the bookies.
The 50-year-old has checked into rehab in a bid to beat an addiction that also cost him his marriage and career.
And one of Paterson’s former bosses revealed he had heard weeks ago the “demons” had returned.
Today Paterson apologised to Dons fans for letting them down while at the club.
He revealed how he:
Lost £1 million gambling on horses
Squandered his £100,000 Pittodrie pay-off within months and became suicidal
Racked up £100,000 in debt with 10 credit cards
Paterson told how he finally decided he needed help after blowing money for a family holiday in North-east bookies.
He said: “In 34 years, I reckon I’ve given the bookies more than a million pounds. It’s horrifying.
“I have created havoc with my lifestyle.”
Peterhead FC chairman Rodger Morrison, who employed Paterson as manager, said: “I heard that the demons were taking over. He tried his hardest to keep it at bay – but it was always a struggle. It was something he fought with for most of his life.
“Steve told me himself that he shouldn’t have gone to Aberdeen because he was ill.
“I hope he sorts himself out and I wish him all the best. He was one of the nicest guys you could meet and very easy to get on with.”
Peterhead manager Neale Cooper, assistant to Paterson at the club while he was boss, said: “When things go wrong for football managers the world can be a lonely place, unless you have got people around you that love and care for you.
“I hope he does get better. I wish him all the best because he is a very likeable man.”
Paterson, from Mosstodloch in Moray, was signed to Manchester United as a youngster.
He was nicknamed “Pele” because of his potential – before injury ended his stay at Old Trafford.
He moved to Japan but ended up being paid off with £40,000 worth of yen – about £200,000 today.
He said: “With that kind of dosh in my pocket there was only one thing to do – head for the racecourse. And inside 48 hours, I was broke.”
Paterson succeeded Ebbe Skovdahl at Aberdeen after success in charge of Inverness Caley Thistle.
But during his time in charge he missed a game against Dundee after a drinking session.
He said: “The drinking came as a result of the strain of having handed over every penny I ever earned to the bookies.”
Paterson was sacked in May 2004 after 18 months of poor results.
He said: “When Aberdeen sacked me, I went into a real clinical depression.
“I was suicidal, I couldn’t get out of bed.
“Addiction is illness. I was ill when I went to Aberdeen and I apologise to them and the fans because I knew I was ill and I shouldn’t have taken the job.
“Aberdeen gave me around £100,000 as a pay-off but I blew it in about three months.
“On top of that, I went on a mad spree and ran up £100,000 on credit cards. I had about 10 of them.”
A statement from the Dons said: “We did everything we could to support him and are disappointed Steve is still experiencing difficulties.
“We wish him all the very best and hope his efforts to make a recovery are successful.”
Steve, a trained social worker, was recently working at a residential school near Banff.
But he broke a promise to take his daughters on holiday in August after spending his £2,000 monthly salary at the bookies.
He won £6,000 with his last £90 – but promptly lost it.
He said: “I couldn’t help myself and lost every penny of that £6,000 on the horses the following day. It was time to change.”
Two days ago he booked into the £4,000-a-week Sporting Chance Clinic – founded by former England star Tony Adams – in Hampshire.
His 80-year-old mum Margaret and daughter Jessica, 20, and Emily, 16, are supporting his efforts to “turn his life around”.
He said: “I am so grateful to them.”
Readers' Comments
the country is going through the worst financial crisis in history - and all the P&J can manage as a leader story is about a forgotten football boss who squanders millions on gambeling - o! my
Thomas Owenson
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I met Steve while being given a tour of Pittodrie with my sons about five years ago.He was a decent guy who took time to speak to the boys and he seemed to be very relaxed despite all the pressure he was under. All the best Steve. I hope things work out for you and your family.
Mark Roberts
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it's typical of today's soft-belly society that we are supposed to empathise with a loser, and explain away all the vices as an illness - i hear this over and over again -esp over here ; what happens to the guy who is up out of his bed every morning for all his working life, supporting a family, building a home etc - if we all claimed ownership of the 'addiction' gene, what kind of state would we be in (imagine fighting another ww2, rationing, bomb raids etc - no drop in counselling available for that...)
Tavish Calgary
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to be fair an adiction is an illness, a mental illness where you are convinced its the answer to all your problems, you just cant see it for what it really is. That being said I dont have a great deal of sympathy when it comes to gambling and drugs, the evidence is there for all to see, every gambler loses more than they win, so why bother? And when it comes to drugs, anyone that thinks they wont get addicted deserves to end up in the shape they are in, that arrogance that "it wont happen to me". The only downside is we end up paying for these mugs
Steve Brockie
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i think the mothers perm hairdo has a lot to do with things too - obviously he picked up the booze culture at man utd, but i can't see big ron/tommy doc/fergie etc being smuggled out in the boot of a car - sure he is a nice bloke but he was way out of his depth in spl, the board at afc must share in the blame with this appointment (also the sanctioning of so many 1st div duff players) his last 2 signings i thought were okay - adams & craig from m'well
Tavish Calgary
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Tavish Calgary - Have a heart! Talk about kicking someone when they are down. This is an illness - I wish Steve well.
JUDI MARTIN
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Judi , in my book it's a weakness not an illness, i'd love to knock off work at lunchtime, go for a few beers witht the lads, down the pole-dancing, curry and casino - i don't as i have a job to hold down and a family to support - the more we make excuses for the wek willed, they more it will entice younger folk into it thinking it is an acceptable alternative - (treatment for drug/alcohol abuse is almost a fashion statement in high end treatment centres , all the celeb spotting dummies who aspire to the posh & becks lifestyle are sucked in by the 'poor old tony adams/gazza/maradona etc ' nonsense)
Tavish Calgary
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Illness,weakness. Call it whatever you like,the guy needs help to conquer it but he must be able to accept help. He's done the hard part and that is accept that he has a problem.
Mark Roberts
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