Matthew Etherington has told of the days when bookies from Romford dog track tunrned up at Chadwell Heath chasing his gambling debts!
The winger became addicted to punting and blew £1.5 million losing his marriage along the way during his time in the game.
His career ended last year at 34 years of age after he failed to recover from a back injury but admits that gambling turned him into a ‘a great liar’.
He told The Times: “When a bill came through the letterbox, I’d put it in the bin.”
“Mad. I was devoid of any responsibility. Nobody knocked at my door, but people used to turn up at West Ham’s training ground, bookies from Romford dogs. ‘Oh hi, yeah I’ll see you tonight!’
“I had the gift of the gab. But I wouldn’t turn up. I’d go to a different track. They’d come back the next day, but as a gambler you become a great liar. Ultimately, that’s what I was.”
Etherington now hopes to forge a career in managament, and regularly attends Gamblers Anonymous meetings.
Shame about his addiction because he always put in a good stint for us,
Never a game changer but a good Pro,
Hope he can make it as a Manager