Gambling addicts just need to talk says ex-footballer

Tony Kelly started his football career at Bristol City at 16 years old

A former professional footballer who turned to gambling after trying to fit in with teammates is urging others with addiction to "confide in someone".

Tony Kelly was signed by Bristol City at 16 before being released, ending up playing non-league football in London two years later where his addiction began.

He told John Darvall on BBC Radio Bristol he moved to London as a "quiet" teenager who wanted to "feel a sense of belonging".

"When I saw the older players go to the bookmakers to put their football bets on, that was my way to join in," he said.

In December 2024 NHS England said nearly 2,000 people were referred to gambling clinics between April and September - up from 800 in the same period in 2023.

The Problem Gambling Severity Index is available on the NHS website.

Mr Kelly, who is from Coventry, started gambling with horses and football, then greyhounds.

As he spent years in professional football, he got involved in casinos before finishing his career at 30 years old with more than £500,000 in debt.

"I often wonder to myself, how did I not get to the point of no return? I lost absolutely everything," Mr Kelly said.

He added gambling also cost him his two houses and relationship issues, and he filed for bankruptcy in 2009.

He wrote and published Red Card, which was about his addiction and his career in 2013, which he said was the start of his recovery.

"When I went on BBC Breakfast [to promote the book] that was it, because the feedback from that was unbelievable.

"It opened my eyes in terms of how many people it resonated with."

"I knew then I had been in denial for years. It was a massive weight off my shoulder."

Mr Kelly founded the Red Card Gambling Project in a bid to help others with a gambling addiction, and has written a second book about his journey.

"I strongly urge that before you hit rock bottom, you will have your wins, but over a long period of time it will destroy you.

"You've got to confide in someone, you've got to talk because you will end up hitting rock bottom, and even worst."