ARSENAL legend Tony Adams flew in from Miami to present awards to troubled young people who took part in a Gloucester football tournament today.
Despite being jet-lagged from his time stateside where he was a TV presenter for the World Cup coverage, he was delighted to show his support to Cheltenham's County Community Projects (CCP) which hosted the event for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts and other vulnerable people in Quedgeley.
Adams, who also made 66 appearances for England, said: "Obviously I am in this service area with Sporting Chances which is 12 years old and close to my heart so this kind of links in."
The no-nonsense defender's recovery from alcoholism inspired him to launch Sporting Chances, an organisation which helps young amateur sports people deal with behavioural problems.
He spent time signing autographs and having 'selfie' photographs taken with dozens of young fans who have worked with CCP, the Nelson Trust, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, YMCA Housing and dozens of other organisations.
Nick Anthony and Dave Gilchrist, who organised the tournament on behalf of CCP, were "absolutely delighted" to win the backing of a former top-flight footballer.
Nick said: "We put this event on to try and get as many local organisations that work with vulnerable young people together.
"But this was just a chance for them to get together and play and we always try and promote healthy living and we do have keen footballers in our organisation."
Dave said the event was really enjoyable, despite a little stressful organising, and said a barbecue earlier in the day shifted 200 burgers.
Cheltenham Mayor Councillor Simon Wheeler, James Brown, head of media and communications at Cheltenham Town Football Club, and players Joe Hanks and Craig Braham-Barrett, also attended the event.
James said: "We are Gloucestershire's only Football League club and we take our work in the community very seriously.
"We are massive fans of the work CCP do and we like to help them as much as possible."The winner of the CCP Charity Shield six-a-side tournament, which was held at Quedgeley Wanderers sports complex in Waterwells, was Gloucestershire Police.
