In today’s episode I talk to former professional footballer & founder of the Red Card Gambling Project Tony Kelly.
Being a former professional footballer Tony lived the life that most people could only dream about, but sadly lost it all to a gambling addiction.
He realised his own personal dream of becoming a footballer at the age of 21, but his football career was marred by an addiction to gambling, which had a huge affect on his career.
His addiction made him leave his football career at age 30, with huge debts.
The impact of Tony’s addiction had an affect on his family and friends and relationships as a whole.
Fortunately for him, he sought help and support that enabled him to start his recovery in 2013, which is when he wrote his first book Red Card.
This allowed him to go public with his journey and thus help his recovery.
He has now gone on to set up an organisation aimed at educating people on the danger and impact of problem gambling, and so Red Card Gambling Support Project came to being.
Tony now travels throughout the UK delivering educational workshops to all ages and delivers personal talks on his journey to help raise awareness of this mental health disorder.
He has written a second book called
“Red Card - A Bet You Can Win” which highlights his life story and how he has beaten his shadows to find light and hope once again. He regularly appears on television, radio, as well as on major the media channels, trying to help raise awareness of the dangers of gambling addiction and helping people to seek help in order to regain their lives back.
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