A former professional footballer who turned to gambling after trying to fit in with teammates is urging others with addiction to "confide in someone".
Tony Kelly was signed by Bristol City at 16 before being released, ending up playing non-league football in London two years later where his addiction began.
He told John Darvall on BBC Radio Bristol he moved to London as a "quiet" teenager who wanted to "feel a sense of belonging".
"When I saw the older players go to the bookmakers to put their football bets on, that was my way to join in," he said.
In December 2024 NHS England said nearly 2,000 people were referred to gambling clinics between April and September – up from 800 in the same period in 2023.
The Problem Gambling Severity Index is available on the NHS website.
