Dharmabum
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- Aug 16, 2003
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Matthew Etherington says 'a dozen' football agents have asked him to advise players on gambling... but none of them want to stop
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...rs-gambling-none-want-stop.html#ixzz3pvoGMMPl
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Former Stoke winger Matthew Etherington believes plenty of Premier League stars are suffering from the addiction to gambling which almost ruined his life.
The 34-year-old, who retired in 2014 due to a back injury, has admitted to betting up to £120,000 - a month's wage at the Britannia Stadium - within a fortnight when his problem was at its worst.
Etherington received help from his family and the Sporting Chance rehabilitation clinic to get over his issues, while he still attends Gamblers' Anonymous meetings to help avoid a relapse.
But while his experiences have caught the attention of a number of concerned football agents, the ex-West Ham star is yet to receive a call from a player willing to combat his addiction.
'Gambling is an illness,' he told the BBC. I've had agents ring me up, on behalf of their players, probably a dozen now, saying can you speak to the player.
'He's in a lot of trouble. His wife is thinking about leaving him, he's financially in trouble.
'I'm not going to give them the words to stop, they've got to do it themselves. But if they want to talk, of course I'll be there
But not one player has rang me up. Which says they're not ready to stop. It has to come from yourself.
'I wasn't ready, but luckily there came a time when I did stop. Withe the cash that footballers earn and the time they have on their hands, it's a recipe for disaster.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...rs-gambling-none-want-stop.html#ixzz3pvnmorIv
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-34645549
- Matthew Etherington was addicted to gambling during his playing career
- The winger would spend £120,000 a fortnight on betting while at Stoke
- Football agents have approached Etherington about talking to their clients
- Former West Ham man believes players are not ready to receive help
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...rs-gambling-none-want-stop.html#ixzz3pvoGMMPl
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Former Stoke winger Matthew Etherington believes plenty of Premier League stars are suffering from the addiction to gambling which almost ruined his life.
The 34-year-old, who retired in 2014 due to a back injury, has admitted to betting up to £120,000 - a month's wage at the Britannia Stadium - within a fortnight when his problem was at its worst.
Etherington received help from his family and the Sporting Chance rehabilitation clinic to get over his issues, while he still attends Gamblers' Anonymous meetings to help avoid a relapse.
But while his experiences have caught the attention of a number of concerned football agents, the ex-West Ham star is yet to receive a call from a player willing to combat his addiction.
'Gambling is an illness,' he told the BBC. I've had agents ring me up, on behalf of their players, probably a dozen now, saying can you speak to the player.
'He's in a lot of trouble. His wife is thinking about leaving him, he's financially in trouble.
'I'm not going to give them the words to stop, they've got to do it themselves. But if they want to talk, of course I'll be there
But not one player has rang me up. Which says they're not ready to stop. It has to come from yourself.
'I wasn't ready, but luckily there came a time when I did stop. Withe the cash that footballers earn and the time they have on their hands, it's a recipe for disaster.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...rs-gambling-none-want-stop.html#ixzz3pvnmorIv
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-34645549
