A BRITISH COURT handed Ray Wilkins a four-year driving ban on Monday, as the former England international midfielder and ex-Chelsea assistant revealed his battle with alcoholism.
The 59-year-old pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court after being found to have been three times over the drink-drive limit.
A member of the public spotted him driving his Mercedes in the middle of the road and straddling a bus lane in London on 1 July.
He was seen striking a kerb and swigging alcohol from the bottle behind the wheel.
The member of the public then took his keys away when the car stopped, in order to prevent a possible accident.
District judge Tim Boswell gave Wilkins, who has two previous drink-driving convictions dating back to 2013, a 10-week suspended prison sentence, ordered him to do 140 hours’ unpaid work and disqualified him from driving for 48 months.
Standing in the dock, Wilkins said: “Abstinence is the only way I can cure this situation.”
Wilkins enjoyed a hugely successful playing career that took in Chelsea, Manchester United and AC Milan, before returning to Stamford Bridge as an assistant.
His last post was in the Premier League last season as an assistant at Aston Villa.
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He must really not like his brother.
Think it’s just good retirement planning by the parents. He signs his brother to take over the carers role.
A head scratcher if ever there was one.
Hate to slate a loyal servant but, it makes sense he allowed John afoa to go to Gloucester then.
Does make you wonder!
Not at all, that was a done deal long ago and Gloucester on sacked their present director last week.
NO ONE saw this coming, a real shocker!
Wow, I did not see that one coming! He was Mr Ulster, and I wouldn’t imagine he was anywhere near completing his objectives he had outlined with Ulster. Still, we should be able to attract a top class director. Conor O’Shea?
Big of a shock especially after the transformation that has happened up in Ulster the last few years…maybe he felt he couldn’t take them on any further?
Head coach
Mark Mc Call?
Not so strange. Frustration at the lack of success. By moving to Gloucester is he saying this is as far as I can take Ulster at this time? Is he saying that the powers that be do not share his ambition? What does Gloucester offer that he cannot achieve with Ulster? Shane Logan’s comments are curious, particularly regarding development as Ulster has a single representative in U20 in the junior world cup and a senior squad that can beat the best in Europe but has no trophies. Has the wrong man left Ulster?
That’s a strange one didn’t see that coming,are you any relation to charlize theron?
Hope it’s not a sign of things to come with the new financial clout of the premiership & top14 deals. I had worried about losing players but managers & directors are just as important.
Is it because there are simply too many too comfortable in their roles at Ulster paying lip service to sharing the vision or is it because he has read which way the financial wind is blowing?
Sad day for Ulster Rugby. Brilliant player, captain and leader. He spotted and attracted the best players and brought them to Belfast.
After 91 years you just can’t write off Ravenhill and its rugby history despite new stadium name. More to this story.
But can they afford to let ambition walk out the door?
If David was the director of rugby what was the title for Mark Anscombe ?
Coach
It was probably in the works for a while, but just officially announced today, in case it was a distraction during the tail end of the season. Real surprise though