Ex-Footballer Urges Gambling Addicts to “Confide in Someone”

Tony Kelly once dreamed of a long career in professional football. Signed by Bristol City at just 16, the young midfielder from Coventry seemed destined for success. 

But after being released two years later, his life took an unexpected and destructive turn, one that would eventually leave him bankrupt and battling a severe gambling addiction.

Looking for a “Sense of Belonging”

Moving to London to continue his football journey, Kelly was a quiet, impressionable teenager trying to find his place in a new environment. 

In an interview for BBC Radio Bristol’s John Darvall, Kelly explained he moved to London as a “quiet” teenager who wanted to “feel a sense of belonging”.

That desire to fit in led him to follow older teammates into the bookmakers. “When I saw the older players go to the bookmakers to put their football bets on, that was my way to join in,” he recalled.

“I Lost Absolutely Everything”

What started with small bets on horses and football soon expanded to greyhounds and eventually high-stakes casino gambling. 

By the time he retired from football at age 30, Kelly had racked up more than £500,000 ($670,000) in debt. “I often wonder to myself, how did I not get to the point of no return? I lost absolutely everything,” he said.

His addiction cost him two houses and deeply affected his personal relationships. In 2009, he was forced to declare bankruptcy. 

“I Had Been in Denial for Years”

But Kelly began to turn things around in 2013 when he released “Red Card”, a memoir detailing his struggles and time in football. 

“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,” he said. 

“I knew then I had been in denial for years. It was a massive weight off my shoulder.”, Kelly added.

Since then, the man who has six other brothers, including a twin, has committed his life to helping others facing similar struggles. He founded the Red Card Gambling Project and has written a second book about his recovery. His message to others is clear: don’t wait until it’s too late.

“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,” he warned. 

The 1966-born ex-winger, whose brother Errington was also a pro footballer, emphasized the need to “confide in someone” or risk “hitting rock bottom” and beyond that. 

Heavyweight boxer Dave Allen chose his family to take care of his finances while struggling to cope with his debilitating gambling addiction, a decision that has been working well for him so far.