But you don't have to be in order to cause physical damage. And it is quite possible to binge drink without being drunk.

Well seeing that they've glossed over Seymour's offence, would be surprised if Aspinwall is sacked. Problem now is the message is every squad player has at least one chance to feck up with no major consequences. Pretty disappointing all round when the likes of Lynch are putting the extra effort in.

As Kosh has pointed out, even small amounts of alcohol can affect recovery. Professional sportsmen should be avoiding alcohol altogether during their season if they want to be at their best.

And I don't think you're really naive enough to believe that the players go round town after a match and have one or two pints each, either.

Not read the whole thread but get the gist, Saints have not been immune from this either over the years. There was great debate over how many chances we give a player, does it depend on how key he is to the team etc.

I suppose the difference with Aspinwall is that he came with a rep and you would hope that he would want to repair that rep at a new club.

Hull themselves last year had to let a player go after several chances. But in the end it's another player who can't cope. It's not like we can't all look around our own places of work and spot the ones who clearly attract or cause trouble for one reason or another.

I think if we all step back and remove the emotion of supporting our club we should asses the situation in full.

Firstly Martin as yet is not guilty of anything. If he is subsequently found to have breached the club's code of conduct then I am certain Mr Pearson and his team will deal with Martin. Whatever the outcome I think we should support the club and accept that they hopefully know whats best for the club and the squad.

In terms of chances lets look at the history of or game and society in general. In my lifetime I always remember a Radio Humberside interview with Peter Fox then coach at Bradford. Fox was asked about Ellery Hanley and what good form he was in and how he posed a threat to Hull. Fox's reply was straight to the point. "Ellery Hanley is in jail". Amazingly Bradford kept him on and look how they lived to regret it.

How did Steve Norton get his nickname. Do your research with a West Yorkshire resident and you might just be surprised.
Equally Knocker and Lee Crooks two massive legends of our club. Tea total throughout their careers. I know times have changed and its supposedly proven that alcohol is not good for highly trained and tuned athletes. but we are all different.

As for other clubs. Well Wigan have a high profile player re-signed after a 2 year ban. Stuck by him.
Leeds had a few banged up a few years ago and we loved it as they played us the following weekend. Stuck by them.

Society in general. Stephen Fry...... say no more. I am sure there are many more examples.

So as a nation / society we give people second chances, and third and fourth if needed. Its called being civilised. The sad thing comes when the person in question can not appreciate what he actually has. Maybe this is going to be a shot across the bows for Martin. Maybe we will wash our hands of him. Maybe for his own benefit he actually needs to restock and get help in another form. We don't know sat behind our computers, I just hope Martin does as he has a long life ahead of him which shouldn't leave him in the gutter.

Was Aspinwall the only person pi$$ed and drunk and disordely on sat night in town??????

Stephen Fry - Say no more

What do you mean Graham, his crimes as a youngster?

Most of your post refers to a time when the game was completely different to how it is now. The rest of it (Stephen Fry??) is irrelevant. He's a pro athlete and he should behave like one. If a TV presenter gets piszed when he's not working, it's unlikely to affect his performance next time he is working.

Only one arrested for it, as far as I'm aware. Which, when he's just been in prison and has been given a second (third? fourth?) chance by our club, is slightly concerning.

It's strange how fans slag players off for not trying in the match but they can not give their all in the week to no critism.

I don't think the 'supposedly' is justified anymore. You're right that we're all different, but not to the degree that alcohol is going to be beneficial or even cost neutral for a sportsman. Bill Werbeniuk arguably being an exception that proves the rule.

The problem is that you've got a work environment made up of young men with time, certainly, and money, maybe, on their hands, in a culture where drinking is accepted and even admired by many, but they'd do their jobs better if they stayed off the booze.

Baffling to say the least.

And facebook

It is an odd one, that. I think it's part of our culture to dismiss it as 'having a few drinks' or 'relaxing after the game', when what they should be doing is ensuring that their bodies recover as quickly as possible so that they are in top shape for the next match. Does anyone think that our olympic athletes will be drinking alcohol on a regular basis, even now with the games several months away?