Former Tottenham Hotspur ace Chris Armstrong found guilty of possessing cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis
Friends of the former Premier League striker say he has dabbled in drugs since retiring in 2005
FORMER Tottenham Hotspur striker Chris Armstrong has been convicted of possessing cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy.
The 45-year-old, who made his name at Crystal Palace, was caught with the drugs in July.
Cops found him with three stashes during a raid in Kensington, West London.
Dreadlocked Armstrong admitted possession charges and was fined £375 at Hammersmith magistrates’ court.
When quizzed by The Sun yesterday, he insisted: “I don’t have a drug problem.”
Armstrong became the first Premier League footballer to fail a drugs test when cannabis was found in his system in 1995.
He was banned and spent around a month out the game while he attended a rehab programme.
But sources close to Armstrong said he has dabbled with drugs since retiring from the sport in 2005.
One told The Sun: “Cannabis use often leads to harder drugs and that seems to have been the case for Chris, which is a real shame.
“Nowadays he looks a shadow of his former self. He is much thinner than he was and is very withdrawn.”
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Armstrong started his career at Wrexham and played for Millwall before joining Crystal Palace.
He became Spurs’ most expensive signing when he joined for £4.5million in 1995.
His form earned him an England call-up under Kevin Keegan, although he never played for his country other than in one B international.
He later played for Bolton before ending his playing career back at Wrexham.
The source added: “Chris’s court appearance has been a wake-up call.
“The people who genuinely care about him hope he can get back on the straight and narrow, rather than continue down this dangerous path.”