The daughter of former football manager Steve Paterson said today she was standing by him after he entered a rehab clinic to receive treatment for a gambling addiction.
The daughter of former football manager Steve Paterson said today she was standing by him after he entered a rehab clinic to receive treatment for a gambling addiction.
The former Aberdeen and Inverness Caledonian Thistle boss said he believed he had blown more than £1 million at the bookmakers over 34 years.
He has now checked into the Sporting Chance Clinic in Hampshire, founded by former Arsenal and England player Tony Adams.
He told how his problems had played havoc with his lifestyle, and said he had been a tortured soul for years.
Paterson, who was sacked by Aberdeen in 2004 after a series of poor results, also apologised to Dons fans for taking the job at their club at a time when he was "ill".
His daughter Jessica, 20, said she and her sister Emily, 16, were pleased their father was trying to turn his life around.
She told the Daily Record: "We love him and we support him every step of the way.
"He might have disappointed a great many people but we have faith in him and believe he can change.
"I don't want anyone thinking he's a bad person because he's not. He has shown he has the bottle to admit he needs help and he's going to get it."
Paterson, who is originally from Mosstodloch in Moray, began his football career with Nairn Country before signing for Manchester United in 1974.
He remained at Old Trafford until 1980 when he moved to the Far East, playing for Hong Kong Rangers and Japanese side Yomiuri.
After returning to the UK he was appointed manager of Elgin City then Huntly before becoming manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 1995.
He led Caley Thistle to the Scottish Premier League and was in charge when they beat Celtic 3-1 in the Scottish Cup in February 2000.
Two years later Paterson was appointed manager of Aberdeen, but left the club in 2004 following poor results and drinking controversies.
He went on to manage Peterhead FC but was sacked from the north-east club earlier this year.
