Duncan backing his old pal Steve

By Charlie Allan

Published:

DUNCAN Shearer is backing old pal Steve Paterson to conquer his gambling demons and finally make his mark as a football manager.

Former Dons hero Duncan admitted he is “shocked” Steve has been forced to check in to rehab in an effort beat his betting addiction.

Steve – who made Duncan his assistant when he took over as manager of Aberdeen in December 2002 – is in the Sporting Chance Clinic in Hampshire after claiming he has blown more than £1m at the bookies over the years.

Duncan, who now works for a parcel firm in the Highlands and as a part-time youth coach with Inverness Caley Thistle, said: “I was shocked to find out how bad Steve’s gambling habit had become.

“I knew he liked to have a punt, just as many Scottish blokes do most weekends.

“We got the occasional glimpse that Steve was maybe betting a bit more than average.

“But I had no idea Steve was gambling to the extent he has now admitted to.

“The first I knew things were really bad was when Oshor Williams (Paterson and Shearer’s first team coach at Pittodrie) called to say he was trying to persuade Steve to go in for treatment.

“He and Steve have been close friends for many years, since they worked together in England.

“I’m pleased Steve has now taken Oshor’s advice and checked into the clinic down in England. My main hope now is that Steve can eventually get back to the stage where he can enjoy his life again.”

Duncan believes it’s not beyond Steve to eventually force himself back into senior football management.

“It’s sad a man as talented as Steve has slipped out of the game,” said Duncan.

“Steve has a marvellous football brain and were it not for the things going on in his private life, I’m sure Steve would have been successful at Pittodrie.

“It’s no coincidence that the big clubs were queuing up for Steve after he enjoyed so much success with Inverness Caley Thistle.”

Steve has admitted he was already addicted to gambling and drinking by the time he joined the Dons.

One late night binge led to him missing a Aberdeen’s home 3-3 draw with Dundee in March 2003. Steve was forced to stage a press conference at Pittodrie to admit he had a serious drink problem.

His Dons career never recovered from that and he and Duncan were sacked by the club in May 2004.

Duncan said: “We hardly kept in touch after that. I reckon it was because Steve was a little embarrassed by how things went at Aberdeen.

“He probably felt he had let me down because it meant my time at Pittodrie was up as well. He had no need to feel like that because I have no regrets.”