Union helps Matthew Etherington Deal with gambling Debts

Stoke's winger Matthew Etherington's revelation that he gambled away £1.5m should serve as a warning to everyone in the game, according to the players' union chief executive Gordon Taylor.

Etherington's problems spiralled out of control while he was at West Ham and were a factor in him leaving to join Stoke in January last year. Despite trying to put his finances in order he still arrived owing £800,000.

The Professional Footballers' Association has worked with Etherington, his father and Stoke to help. But Taylor said the seriousness of the problem should not be underestimated.

"Young men have always gambled and that has been part of the culture of this country," he said. "But by any stretch of the imagination £1.5m is a lot of money and it is not good for him or his family to think that is a wasted opportunity.

"The average career for a professional footballer is eight years so we want to make sure they capitalise on their earnings and do not waste their money.

"Fortunately, he is still young enough to carry on playing and earning and we have provided help, working with his club and his father, and we hope he will be able to put these things behind him.

"We continue to talk to them, which we do with all our players who have addictive problems, because there are no instant solutions. But we have to use it to a warning for other youngsters."

Taylor said the PFA had helped set up a scheme where some of the gambling companies had helped pay for educational programmes. "What we do have for all our apprentices is a lifestyle education which warns them of the dangers of alcohol, drugs and getting involved in various ventures which could waste their money," Taylor added.

"In our trips to clubs we also use many of the former players who have had their own particular problems. "

Source:  Press Association