Players' professional and personal indiscipline has dealt shattering blows to England's national game in recent weeks.

Chelsea stars John Terry and Jody Morris, and Des Byrne of Wimbledon have pleaded not guilty to charges of affray and causing actual bodily harm in a nightclub incident last week.

And the reappearance of hooliganism and racism on the terraces, as well as evidence of a rampant drinking culture, have further damaged English football's reputation.

Adams is one of a number of high-profile players, including Paul Gascoigne and Paul Merson, whose careers have been disrupted by alcohol abuse.

As part of the new initiative, Adams, Gascoigne and Merson will tour clubs across the country.

They will urge young players to avoid their past mistakes and help restore the game's good name.

The scheme is backed by the promise of much stronger discipline, as the Professional Footballers' Association has agreed that the limit of fining players two weeks' wages will be lifted in serious cases.

Chelsea had called for the right to fine players more than the current maximum of two weeks' wages.

Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson believes harsher fines are the most effective way of deterring any serious misbehaviour.

Kelly support

The PFA's concession on player fines is, however, coupled with a strong demand for managers and clubs to take more responsibility for the misbehaviour of their players.

The FA has also been called upon to deduct points from clubs with poor disciplinary records.