Overcoming gambling addiction

Stoke City: Matt Etherington's dad hails Stoke for saving son's career


Now he [Peter Etherington, Matt Etherington's dad] believes City were the best possible club for Matt, who has turned his life around on and off the pitch since moving to the Britannia.

Peter contacted The Sentinel to say he will always be grateful to Stoke City and Tony Pulis for their help as his 29-year-old son has put his football career back on track while overcoming his gambling addiction.

Matt reckons he has lost about £1.5m on gambling and was still in the grip of the addiction when he moved to Stoke in January 2009.

But he has confronted his problems and is beating them, having not gambled for a year.

Ultimately, only Matt himself could make the decision to change, but his dad says Stoke have done his son proud.

He said: "Stoke City have helped him in a big way. They have been there for him and have understood him.

Seeing Matt thrive at the Britannia has been a joy for his family, who felt helpless when he was consumed by gambling.

Peter added: "It was horrible for the whole family. You would wake up and get a phone call saying there was something in a newspaper about Matt. It wasn't nice and a lot of what was said about him was untrue.

"But, yes, he had a problem and, to his credit, he has overcome that.

"As a family we were there for him and, since he stopped gambling 12 months ago we have supported him.

"But you can only help your kids if they want to be helped. They have to be the ones to lead the way.