"I was depressed, I was lost" - Ex-Wales striker reveals gambling addiction after career-ending injury

Former Wales international striker Simon Haworth has told our new Football Untold Podcast how he spiralled into a gambling addiction after being forced to retire from the game.

The 46 year old, who had spells with Cardiff, Coventry City, Wigan Athletic and Tranmere Rovers broke his leg in the 2003-04 season, and was forced to accept his playing career was over.

Unsure where to turn next, but having gambled on horse racing for most of his life, he decided to try to become a professional gambler.

Speaking to host Mick Coyle he said: "I was lost, I was depressed, I was lonely and because gambling had always been brewing away in the background I actively sought to make a living from it.

"I tried betting every day, go to the races, bet online, I've tried everything to make a living from betting post-football but when I had to make it to pay for the car, the house, that's when the pressure really came on."

Football Untold Podcast focuses on problem gambling

In an emotional interview, he tells the Podcast how his father becoming ill when he was a child had a big impact on his mental health - something he only realises now he's undergone counselling and therapy.

Simon explores how his experiences impacted his football career - and ultimately led to gambling addiction.

Looking back now, he can see how his behaviour should have raised red flags.

"I was playing for Coventry City in the Premier League, and I didn't feel I belonged there and just acted like a 9 year-old boy for 25 minutes until I was substituted off the pitch.

"I thought 'Great, its Gordon Strachan's fault, not mine' and I was safe in that little area, I could blame someone else.

"And that's where I was with my gambling and that's where my denial of the gambling was as well - I was just a boy, I think"

"I got a lot of bad press for being lazy, or that I didn't care, I put that down to me tuning out and not wanting to deal with that vulnerability.

"It was the same later on, if I admit I'm a gambling addict I've got to really look at who I am and what I am and I don't think, until the very end, I was willing to do that."

Avoiding international duty

Simon reveals he twice faked injuries to avoid travelling for international duty with the Wales national team, again not feeling like he belonged in the international set up.

He later sought help, when a family member saw the bank statements that exposed the scale of his gambling.

Listen to the full interview on the Football Untold Podcast or where you get your podcasts.

Football Untold is a new series that explores the darker side of the beautiful game.

In series one, host Mick Coyle is joined by players past and present who are sharing their stories of problem gambling, in the hope of inspiring people to reach out for support before it gets out of hand.

Ex-PFA Chair Clarke Carlisle shares his story in episode one

There are links to support services at the beginning, middle and end of each podcast

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