Just can’t give it up
Kenny told how police and paramedics were called out last week amid fears he was about to end it all. He says he has just £50 to his name.
His pitiful plight is a far cry from his glory days. The renowned left back played in three Wembley cup finals and won 86 caps for England in a glittering 20-year career. But even then his love of booze led to him being nicknamed “Mr Chablis”. Since retiring in 1994 his life has been devastated by it.
The latest shattering blow has been his split from fiancée Denise Mullins, 60, after ten turbulent years together.
His voice breaking with emotion, Kenny said: “My relationship with Denise has killed me. Our relationship was just gone.
“I did a lot of bad things, said a lot of bad things. I was horrible to her. I’ve become a horrible drunk. I can feel myself becoming more aggressive.”
The impact booze has had on him is clear to see. He’s bloated, unshaven and rarely changes his clothes. “This is the worst I’ve ever felt,” Kenny admits.“I haven’t brushed my teeth for seven days. I don’t know if it’s depression. I’m in a state. I know I’m drinking myself to death, but I don’t think I’ll ever stop drinking. I don’t want to stop, that’s the truth. Last week, two police officers came to see me and said they were worried I was going to hurt myself because of things I’d been saying. Paramedics arrived and spent three hours with me. They wanted to take me to hospital, but I refused. I wanted to be on my own.” For Kenny, coping with life after football has been impossible. On the pitch he was one of the country’s finest defenders and was England’s most capped full-back until 2011 when he was overtaken by Ashley Cole. But while many retired players move into management, coaching or TV punditry Kenny has been drowning in booze. “Football was so easy for me. I went on a pitch and it was a piece of p***, but life now isn’t. I can’t handle it. I feel s***,” he said. “I’m drinking four bottles of dry white wine a day. I used to always drink Mateus Rose, but I’ve moved to this now because it’s stronger and I need it to be able to feel any effect.
Blame
“I know I’ve got a massive problem, but I love drink. It makes me feel better. When I drink, I don’t have to worry about life any more. I’ve gone six months without drinking before, but I don’t think I can do it this time.”
The divorced dad of three faces a lone battle. He is no longer in contact with ex-wife Elaine or his three children – and he admits he has no one else to blame but himself. He said: “I miss them all and I wish I could get Elaine back, but they won’t speak to me. It’s all my fault.”
Kenny still feels guilty for walking out on his 29-year marriage and leaving his family saddled with debt after he met Denise in a Marbella bar in 2006.
He said: “This Christmas Day will be the first one I’ve ever spent on my own. I’ll just sit here and drink.
“I’ve lost everything – my family, my houses, all because of drink and gambling. I like to think I gave my kids everything and I was a good dad, at least until I started to drink.
“But alcohol has ruined my life and the lives of quite a few other people around me as well. I know I’ve let my kids down. Thinking about it makes me want to cry my eyes out.”
Kenny, who earned £1,200 a week in his heyday, now has a monthly income of £622. The cash is his Professional Footballers Association pension and half of that goes to his ex-wife. What he has left is blown on gambling and booze. He said: “Drink is hurting me, but I think gambling is even worse. I