http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/55388
Pals of former football idol Paul Gascoigne are rallying around to suport the ex England ace.
After pictures emerged of him looking unwell and shaking during a recent charity appearance, his former Newcastle United team-mate Ian Bogie hopes Gascoigne can now finally start to turn himself around.
Bogie said: "Paul needs to really look at himself now and with the hard work people have given him in the past, he needs to knuckle down and get through this."
Terry Ritson coached Gascoigne during his team playing for Redheugh Boys and said: "It breaks my heart to see Paul like this, hopefully he can get through this and we can see the old Gazza back who everyone loves."
Meanwhile stars have agreed to help get Gazza help at a rehabilitation centre in the United States, Stan Collymore said.
The former Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, and England striker and talkSPORT commentator said Piers Morgan, Chris Evans and Ronnie Irani would contribute to send the former Newcastle United player to rehab.
Collymore, who has battled personal demons of his own, Tweeted: "BREAKING Piers Morgan, Chris Evans and Ronnie Irani have contributed to get Paul Gascoigne help in the United States."
He then deleted the comment from his Twitter account.
Players' chief Gordon Taylor said Gazza would need '24 hour care' to get back on track after his latest relapse.
Gascoigne, who has spoken about alcoholism problems in the past and was sectioned five years ago under the Mental Health Act, appeared to be unwell and trembling at a charity appearance in Northampton on Thursday.
His agent Terry Baker said the 45-year-old had been drinking and needed immediate help, suggesting Gascoigne's life was "always in danger".
The Tweet Stan Collymore posted then deleted
The Professional Footballers' Association have vowed to continue giving the former England midfielder as much support as possible, and having been in contact with Gascoigne over the weekend, the union's chief executive Taylor told Press Association Sport: "He still feels he is capable of getting back on track and [that] it is a relapse he has had.
"I can only say, whatever help he needs, he must come on [board] and we will help to provide it.
"I think he does need specialist care and a very strong 24-hour support system, but again, it needs him to be part of that."
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker admitted he was struggling to see a positive outcome for his former England and Tottenham team-mate Gascoigne, writing on Twitter: "I can only hope he finds peace somehow, but fear those hopes may be forlorn."
Former Newcastle United defender Robbie Elliott Tweeted: "Gutted to see the news on #gazza really sad. My thoughts are with him hope he gets sorted quickly #topman #nufc"
Taylor has expressed his concern that the case could be comparable with that of George Best, the former Manchester United and Northern Ireland winger who died aged 59 in 2005 after a long struggle with alcoholism.
He is adamant that the PFA will not be giving up on Gascoigne, though, and after ex-United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel commented on Twitter that the organisation needed to "step up" their efforts to help the troubled star, Taylor has also stressed how much work they have already put in.
"We have tried to support him throughout all his problems with rehabilitation at various clinics, with medical help," Taylor said.
"We go one step forward and two back at times and this is just the situation.
Gazza spoke in May about his recovery from alcoholism
"If we are not careful, it is going to be akin to George Best. It is unfortunate, but we try to keep going.
"I can't think of a player who has had more support and constant help over the number of years that we have been there for Paul.
"It is quite ironic - it is nice that people like Peter Schmeichel care about him, but they don't appreciate the work we have done for him, a lot of which has to be confidential.
"If anything, I have been criticised at times for keeping faith and trying to keep going with him."
Referring to a video in The Sun newspaper of Gascoigne's charity appearance, Schmeichel had written on Twitter: "This is not fun watching. Gazza needs help. Come on PFA & (PFA chief executive) Gordon Taylor, time to step up.
"We are all responsible for how we live our lives. But that doesn't mean we can't step in and help, and I think the footballing community, as the family we at times claim to be, must do more to help Gazza and others like him.
"Instead of getting great deals on cars & other luxury goods for members, PFA should commit more time and funds to help the likes of Gazza.
"So what if he's had help before and has messed it up, does that mean that we just give up on him?
"What really gets me here is people. Everyone close to him was looked after by him. Now he's abandoned by the lot and in many ways they helped him becoming what he is today. He needs help, they should be there to provide that for him, regardless."
Taylor said the PFA had taken Gascoigne in just a few weeks ago for detoxification, and that the former player had to engage with the people trying to help him.