Football Untold podcast inspires "hundreds" to get support for problem gambling
Our series focusing on the darker side of the beautiful game has a huge impact
Our Football Untold podcast is being praised for inspiring "hundreds" of football fans to seek support for their gambling problems.
The six-part series, saw players past and present sharing their stories of gambling addictions, in the hope of inspiring others to seek support for their problems.
Since April, when the podcast launched, Beacon Counselling Trust - the addiction service which partnered the podcast - has seen a 200% increase in the people coming to them for support with their gambling.
The series has been warmly received after using players experience to open up the conversation about addiction.
READ: "I was suicidal" - footballers unite to share their experience of problem gambling
Among those sharing their stories:
- Ex-PFA Chair and Burnley captain Clarke Carlisle
- Former Wales international Simon Haworth
- Lower league player Sam Wedgbury
- Ex-Spurs, Liverpool, Cardiff and QPR defender Steven Caulker
The figures from BCT relate to the number of "Brief Interventions" the service has delivered since the podcast launched.
These interactions see members of the public assessed as to their needs, signposted to wider support or offered guidance or information about gambling related harms.
The 200% increase equates to "hundreds" of people, mainly men, getting support they wouldn't have otherwise sought.
Lauren Campbell from Beacon Counselling Trust told Hits Radio: "These podcasts are so important because you're seeing men talking about gambling in that way.
"We know men can struggle to open up and talk about mental health so to see other men doing it, especially men they would look up to, can really help to bring those barriers down.
"The biggest thing for anyone is seeing someone they can relate to talking about similar problems. That can be a massive icebreaker.
"That's why these podcasts are so important.
"The impact of the podcast has been instrumental in the opening up of the conversation particularly with football fans around gambling, the normalisation of gambling and the impacts gambling harms can have on anyone."
"The figures speak for themselves"
Ex-Wales international Simon Haworth, who spoke on the podcast about how he became addicted to gambling after his career was cut short by injury, says he's increibly proud of what series one has achieved.
He told us: "It's great, you just enjoy helping people.
"We're trying to help people be the best version of themselves and if it takes footballers to do that, then so be it.
"I think its been really, really powerful and the figures speak for themselves."
Listen to Football Untold Podcast
You can listen to the series where you get your podcasts, or directly through Football Untold
Listen to more about the impact of the Football Untold podcast on this week's Mental Health Monday