New Book Release That Proves Gambling Addiction Does Not Discriminate Who It Claims. A Memoir/Biography Written by Former UK Soccer Star (footballer) & Fan Favorite, Tony Kelly…

FIRST and FOREMOST about Tony Kelly?

He is a grateful recovering gambling addict.

As Tony shared in his first book titled, “I invite the public, family, and friends into my secret hell of despair, depression, racism, stardom, a look at gambling addiction, and my self-destruction” I feel it was a possible way to share his addiction and try making amends to those he may have hurt through his addiction.

Today, Tony is so much more than his past addiction. He is a living MIRACLE that recovery is possible and it can work. But you need to be willing to QUIT to WIN! Recovering addicts know full well that our PAST doesn’t define who we are today while doing the hard work within recovery to gain our lives back from this cunning addiction, disorder, and disease. I have had the pleasure of knowing this man for several years when his first book released titled “Red Card: The Soccer Star Who Lost It All To Gambling.”

That book really moved me to know that being honest, transparent, and in having the audacity to share ones story of addiction like Tony had in that book, it made me want to know more and we connected through social media and have been BUDDIES ever since. Now I am being of “Recovery Service” and helping share his new book just released on Amazon online in both the UK and USA.

He has turned his life around and now is the Founder and Acting CEO/Director of his organization he started in 2015 called “RED CARD Gambling Support Project, LTD a non-profit in London, England that has resources of one on one therapy through the consulting side and also has prevention and awareness events like workshops, speaking at schools and much more here>>>> https://kellysredcardconsultancy.co.uk/.


Here is more about Tony and his new book just released at the end of April 2021…

Author and Advocate Tony Kelly

RED CARD GAMBLING SUPPORT PROJECT is all about promoting gambling awareness/prevention/education in our COMMUNITIES. We now know how serious gambling addiction is in the UK and how the numbers of addicts are increasing day by day, so we intend to work with all mental health/substance abuse/social impact projects in order to make a difference.

“I am from Coventry, but now reside in London. I suffered from gambling addiction in my 9-year pro soccer career and lost everything. I had to write my story in the hopes it will help others get help for this evil cunning addiction. My story is sad, tragic yet uplifting as it shows you can come out the other side.”

Founder & Director of Red Card ~Tony Kelly

Tony’s New Book Release a Memoir

ABOUT THE BOOK

Former professional soccer star (footballer) Tony Kelly lost it all, but he stands today as someone who is unbreakable!

Having lost his wealth, his house, and eventually, his partner, Tony, refused to be broken and fought back. Through years of pain and suffering, somehow, Tony managed to turn his life around in a positive way, and his journey from disaster to redemption and triumph is nothing short of amazing.

Tony has literally been to hell and back, but through family and friend’s support, professional help, his renewed faith, and sheer courage, he is now in a position to help others, and that is something he could never have envisaged six years ago. A tragic yet uplifting and inspiring tale of one man’s journey through gambling addiction.

It’s a must-read for those who feel lost, broken, and without hope, as Tony’s story is testimony that all is not lost and that this is a bet you can win!

Tony Kelly Former Soccer Star in the UK

Who Is Tony Kelly Today?

Best-selling author Tony Kelly is a former professional (footballer) soccer star who played for six teams within his nine-year career. He is also a recovering gambling addict. In his first book, Tony wrote and shared this story, “Red Card: The Soccer Star Who Lost It All To Gambling,” in 2013. He now released his much anticipated second book titled “Red Card: A Bet You Can Win!” in April 2021 and is available on Amazon Kindle, Amazon Books, Barnes & Noble, and other fine online book stores in both the UK and USA. 

Tony was crazy about (UK Football) soccer from the age of seven. At sixteen, he was the youngest player ever on the first team at Bristol City, UK. In his twenties, Tony turned professional and went on to play for clubs such as Stoke City, Cardiff City, Leyton Orient, and Bury in the second and third divisions of the Soccer (Football) League. He also enjoyed a spell playing for a team in Sweden. 

His soccer career was cut short and ruined by a gambling addiction. He continued to gamble addictively and lost jobs, the rest of his soccer career, his partner, and his financial wealth he worked hard to gain.

Tony is a Speaker and Prevention Advocate Throughout London

Today, Tony is the Founder and Managing Director of ‘Red Card Gambling Consultancy and Gambling Support Project’ (Non-Profit) in 2015 and has been sharing prevention of problem gambling and addiction with individual one on one therapy, awareness, prevention, educational workshops, visiting and speaking at schools, and much more in and around London, UK.

Tony has helped and worked with the UK Gambling Commission in an advisory role on regulations. A tireless advocate of recovery, Tonys’ work has grown to become well-respected within the gambling harm reduction and prevention sector throughout the United Kingdom. His work has been endorsed both by the UK media and the UK parliament. 

As a recovering addict, his wish for the book release is to help to continue to raise awareness and educate the public about this crippling gambling disorder. Born Nyrere Anthony Kelly in England, Tony resides in London; his books are his journey of ‘Redemption and Recovery’ as he is living proof that this is a Bet You Can Win!

His Book Is Now Released Amazon UK and USA!

Amazon USA https://www.amazon.com/Red-Card-Tony-Kelly/dp/1528970578/
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Card-Bet-You-Can/dp/1528970578/
Barnes & Noble USA https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/red-card-tony-kelly/1139205459;jsessionid


Connected and Follow Tony Kelly On His Social Media
Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, Linkedin.

Tony on BookLife https://booklife.com/profile/tony-kelly-author-85171

Advertisement

I Am Honored To Welcome Author, Tony Kelly As Guest Speaker To Share His Story.

.

This week I welcome UK Recovery Author, Tony Kelly who is also Founder/Director of Red Card Gambling Support Project, LTD  [Non-profit] in the UK, who is our Guest Gambling Addiction Speaker.

Tony and I met by way of LinkedIn and it seems we have become fast friends and seems like we have known each other for many years. So I am honored to share his story and look forward to a long-lasting friendship!

We all know gambling addiction does not discriminate on who it chooses to claim as its next victim. As Tony is an Ex-Pro Soccer star that had a very bright career and future. That was until gambling addiction sidelined him from the soccer field.I am half through reading his book and I can say it an IS AN Amazing Story …

This is Tony’s Story  .  .  .

(A young man with a bright future)

 

Article Share By Tony Kelly on The Fix …

I am an ex-gambling addict and professional footballer who made it out of my addictions.
.
The year 1984 is when it all started for me, the year that I placed my first ever coupon football bet. Looking back I should have taken heed of that old cliché, “Your first bet is your worst bet.”

Not for one moment, as with all gambling addicts, did I ever think that bet would lead into a long and torturous journey of gambling addiction. Why would I? After all, it was all meant to be a bit of fun and banter with my football (soccer) pals. Very quickly it didn’t seem like such fun after I found myself dipping into my wages from work.

“This is what addiction feels like. You slowly start to lose control of your actions and emotions thereby deflecting your anger onto others. ”
.
“We are all susceptible to gambling addiction, we just don’t realize it. It can happen to anybody.”   ~Tony Kelly ~ Red Card Project

.

.

Professionally and psychologically, we have no concept of the makeup of our genes, character, or vulnerability to addiction. Therefore we are all taking a risk once we start to indulge in this evil disease as there are proven medical/physiological reasons for why some of us become addicted while some of us do not. Professional practitioners are able to find the root of an individual’s reason for becoming an addict, in most cases, which is why it is so important that we seek professional advice or help when we feel we have a problem.

Moving on from the therapy side of gambling addiction and fast forward two years. As with all gamblers, “chasing” is a term we can all relate to, so by now I was a regular gambler and more importantly a regular loser! I was at my local Mecca, bookmakers in Dulwich South East London, and was firmly on the slippery road to ruin. You see, chasing your losses is a very dangerous formula—it only succeeds in pushing you deeper and deeper into debt, as I found out, with devastating consequences.

After moving to North London from Dulwich, I was soon increasing my outlays, (Bets) which again is a sign of desperation, with my wages increased through my new job at Eastern Electricity and my football wages with St Albans City FC. It was easy to take risks and continue my search for the big win, the win which I hoped would solve all my problems.

It was St Alban’s City which would be the club that would propel me into the big time after a £40,000 transfer to Stoke City, and provide me with more than enough ammunition to continue my, by now, severe gambling addiction.

.

.

I can’t stress enough that the emotions you go through as an addict; the feeling of seeing your horse pipped on the line by a 50/1 outsider. It’s painful and at times so hard to take, which is where the anger and frustration come’s into play and you take it out on loved ones, which only adds to your problems. These feelings I keep firmly in my memory bank as a reminder that I will not be going down this road again in the future. I remember losing a bet by Teletext!

Teletext I hear you say, well teletex still exists today but as there were no mobiles or much-televised racing in the late 80s, it was a way of finding out various sports results. As I scrolled down the screen with my remote, squinting my eyes in the hope that the name of my horse would show up in bright capital yellow letters, BANG! Like a hammer blow, my horse shows up in second place, and there goes my treble, together with yet another remote control thrown across the room!

With that, you sink into a mini-depressive state, lost in your own little world wondering where the next win is going to come from. This is what addiction feels like. You slowly start to lose control of your actions and emotions thereby deflecting your anger onto others.

So having got my dream life into the world of professional football in January 1990, I had visions of finally getting out of debt as I knew the money I would be earning would be enough to eventually solve my financial worries. How wrong I was! Sadly my journey after signing for Stoke City would be one that would take me on a huge roller coaster that would take me years to recover from.

.

.

Now, a fully-fledged professional footballer living the high life with all the trimmings, money, fame, girls, I was living the dream with money burning a hole in my pockets! So where did it go wrong? Well, with the bonus of excessive funds at my disposal, and with my obsession of chasing the big win, it became apparent that all I was interested in was continued gambling to get debt-free as quickly as possible. Unfortunately with bigger layouts came bigger losses,

Yes, that vicious circle we all find ourselves in from time to time. Although I cleared some debt it was not enough. You think the big one will come soon and you start playing the percentage game, surely this week or next week. At this point, tt is so important for gambler’s to acknowledge they have a problem and to accept it and just get help. Denial is a major factor in any addict’s life, especially a gambling addict. It takes mental strength and courage to accept you are an addict, so I urge all gambler’s to seek help before it is too late and you end up losing everything.

In today’s society, gambling is no longer just a social event, or something you may experiment with for fun or financial gain, it has now become a serious mental health issue with thousands of people in the UK and around the world. Known to people in the medical profession as the hidden addiction, gambling addiction in most cases has no real visual signs so we need to be educated on how to spot individuals who are suffering and really raise the awareness. This illness is on par with alcohol/drug addiction and should be treated as such.

.

.

There is no doubt my addiction caused me serious health issues such as headaches, panic attacks, anxiety attacks, and depression. Therefore, gambling addiction needs to be addressed within the National Health Service, and other organizations, so that we are all aware of the consequences surrounding it.So here I was continuing to chase my losses hoping for the big one. That obviously never came. I was spiraling into debt deeper and deeper and all logical and rational thinking had long left me!

After only five years as a professional, I lost thousands, property, wages, cars, and incidentals. My regret is not asking for help at the height of my addiction in the mid-90s. All gambler’s have that mental block that enables us to stay in complete denial, the shame and embarrassment is too much to take and so we turn away the very people who care, our families and friends. By the time I hung up my boots in 2000 I had lost everything except for a flat I bought in Enfield. I was constantly chased by numerous creditors and bailiffs alike, making my life a misery.
.
In 2009, I took on a major decision in my life, which I feel was probably the best decision I have ever made. Sometimes in life. you have to take a step backward to go forward and in my situation, it seemed like a good option so I decided to declare myself bankrupt and start again. My debt was nowhere near manageable and stressful. Not only was it a huge relief and burden off my shoulders but it gave me hope. Coupled with my counseling sessions I could finally see a way forward. And that’s all I wanted. I wanted a life without gambling.

.

.

I had the high life and the money so it was now all about moving on, learning from my mistakes and trying to do something positive with my experiences, and in life. My bankruptcy file was in the thousands, and I keep this file to this day as a reminder of the poor choices I made with my addiction. I intend to continue my work in helping thousands of people who are out there suffering from gambling addiction and who need help and support. So no more sleepless nights or wondering when the next bailiff may come knocking, but more importantly I can now look forward to a stress-free life and enjoy putting something back.

My journey has been a long and painful one filled with ups and downs along the way, but it’s a journey that also shows that out of adversity can come triumph. The lies, the deceit the heartaches I caused loved ones is now a thing of the past and I stress that it’s a selfish act to inflict your pain on others and disrupt their lives, reinforcing the need to ask for help as soon as you feel you may have a gambling problem—it could save your life.

I sincerely hope my story serves as an inspiration and has a positive effect on those who read it, and that it educates individuals as well as organizations throughout the UK In terms of tackling gambling addiction in a major way.

 

I am one of the lucky ones. I came out the other side. Many don’t!

.

.

You can purchase Tony’s book titled; Red Card: The Soccer Star Who Lost It All To Gambling  on Red Card on Amazon UK  and  Amazon.com US both are in paperback and e-book.

Visit Tony on his Website to learn through his “Red Card Project” he is helping many recover from gambling addiction: Red Card Project Gambling Addiction Support …

Connect with Tony Kelly on Social Media on:
Red Card on Facebook
Follow Tony on Twitter

More About The Author:

Tony Kelly and his identical twin brother Mel were born in Coventry on Valentine’s Day 1966. At junior school. he played in his school’s football team but his deep love affair with football (soccer) really took hold when he watched (on TV) Brazil playing in the 1974 World Cup.

As a teenager, Tony was no stranger to trouble. Frequenting the tough clubs of Coventry, indulging in petty theft and driving cars underage, he was no saint. He hoped that a career in football could save him from the prison-life that many of his friends were facing. His undoubted ability on the field, led to him joining Bristol City’s youth team and he made his debut as a pro footballer in 1982 at the tender age of 16. From there he went on to play for St Albans (as a semi-pro); Stoke City, Bury, Leyton Orient and Harlow Town. He hung up his football boots for the last time in 1999, aged 35 …

.

(Click to book to Amazon)

.
RED CARD: THE SOCCER STAR WHO LOST IT ALL TO GAMBLING:

“The issues I had to deal with – especially gambling and racism – feature prominently in this story, as they are issues which are still prevalent today … Temptation and a big ego were demons I failed to conquer, so I hope my story educates youngsters in a positive way and ultimately ensures that they do not follow my path of self-destruction”  ~Tony Kelly.

Courtesy Article Share To The Fix