He was one of the game's great entertainers, and Paul Merson showed equal flair telling tales from his years in top-flight football.The ex-Arsenal and England legend, pictured with Gorleston FC chairman Jimmy Jones, amused the audience at Gorleston's Ocean Room with some hilarious on and off the field anecdotes on Wednesday night.

He was one of the game's great entertainers, and Paul Merson showed equal flair telling tales from his years in top-flight football.

The ex-Arsenal and England legend, pictured with Gorleston FC chairman Jimmy Jones, amused the audience at Gorleston's Ocean Room with some hilarious on and off the field anecdotes on Wednesday night.

Now a pundit with Sky Sports, Merson ranged over the highs and low of an eventful career that saw him seek treatment for drug, gambling and alcohol addiction.

He said “I love working in the media as a football pundit and wouldn't want to go back into management again.

“The game's changed so much from when I was involved, players can't go out as much now because the spotlight is on them so much. They are much more professional, and football is on a different level.”

The evening was organised by Gorleston Football Club, and Merson presented an award to the club's record goal scorer Gary Ingram.