Sansom, who won 86 caps for England and played 394 games for Arsenal, has actually had well-publicised issues with alcoholism and betting.
Sansom, who played in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, made his launching at 16 for Crystal Palace in 1975, prior to going on to play for Toolbox, Newcastle, QPR and Coventry.
Toolbox sent a message of support to Sansom’s household in action to the news, tweeting: “We’re believing of you all right now.