George Best
Northern Irish footballer
Story: Probably the most famous, most lamented case of a gifted sportsperson ruined by the demon drink. Best was an artist, a footballing poet who soared for Manchester United and was named European footballer of the year. But he did not so much bathe in a celebrity lifestyle as wallow. And saying he drank like a fish would be an understatement. "I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars," Best once said. "The rest I just squandered."
Postscript: Best spent time in prison for drink-driving, underwent a liver transplant, and died in 2005, aged 59.
Jesse Ryder
New Zealand cricketer
Story: A big, beefy bruiser whose exceptional talent is occasionally overshadowed by his taste for a pint. Ryder has had the odd behavioural blowout, most famously in 2008 when he severed a tendon in his arm by punching a glass window.
Postscript: Ryder has the ability to become one of our greatest batsmen. It is to be hoped a glorious talent will not go to waste.
English footballer
Story: Gazza. That is the only name you need to hear to evoke memories of a gifted, but deeply tortured, football player like no other. Gascoigne, a rare English midfielder with a creative spark, shone for Newcastle, Spurs, Lazio and Rangers. He also won 57 caps for England, famously bawling his eyes out during a 1990 World Cup semifinal against Germany. Off the field, his life descended into alcoholism and bipolar disorder.
Postscript: Gascoigne has been tabloid fodder for years, and a frequent visitor to rehabilitation clinics. Two years ago, he was in a coma after drinking 40 pints of beer, and last year he received a suspended jail sentence for drink-driving. But the beloved Geordie now claims to be clean and sober.
Andy Fordham
English darts player
Story: One of the greatest darts exponents of all time. But "The Viking" also suffered from nerves, and would guzzle 25 bottles of lager before big matches. His weight ballooned to 197kg and he was forced out of the sport.
Postscript: Fordham hit the gym, stopped drinking, lost 100kg and got back into darts. But he continues to battle the bulge.
Northern Irish snooker ace
Story: "Hurricane" Higgins was a flamboyant superstar in snooker's golden age. He won two world titles, 10 years apart, and had a massive fan base. But he was also an unstable, violent drunk, who headbutted a tournament director and punched a press officer.
Postscript: Higgins died in 2010, aged 61, after battling throat cancer.
John Daly
American golfer
Story: Golf has never seen anyone like John Daly, the enigmatic American who is an explosive mix of talent and trouble. Daly has won two majors, but is destined to be remembered for his boozing, gambling, bad country music and multiple marriages.
Postscript: "Long John" was back in the news last week for walking out during a tournament in Australia. He can still play, and drive the ball an awfully long way, but addiction is a constant companion.
American baseballer
Story: Few athletes are revered in the United States as much as Mantle. "The Mick" was a New York Yankees star for 18 years, and played in seven World Series-winning teams. He had all-American good looks and the star quality so beloved in Noo Yawk. He was also an alcoholic. His wife was an alcoholic, and all four of their sons became alcoholics.
Postscript: Mantle become a born-again Christian and got a liver transplant. He died in 1995, aged 63.
