Tony Kelly's life was once on top of the world. As a professional soccer player, he had achieved his dream of playing for top clubs in the UK and Sweden. But beneath the surface, Kelly was hiding a dark secret: an addiction to gambling that would eventually ruin his career, relationships, and financial stability.
In his memoir, "Red Card: The Soccer Star Who Lost It All To Gambling", Kelly shares his harrowing story of how his addiction consumed his life, leading to a downward spiral of despair, depression, and self-destruction. With brutal honesty, Kelly invites readers into his "secret hell" of racism, stardom, and addiction, in the hopes of raising awareness and educating others about the dangers of problem gambling.
Kelly's journey from soccer stardom to gambling addiction is a tragic yet uplifting tale of a sportsman's battle with his demons, on and off the pitch. From his early days as a football prodigy to his struggles with addiction, Kelly's story is a cautionary tale of how easily addiction can creep into anyone's life, even those who seem to have it all.
Today, Kelly has turned his life around and is dedicated to helping others overcome their own addictions. As the founder of the 'Red Card Gambling Consultancy and Gambling Support Project', Kelly has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and prevent problem gambling, visiting schools, and working with the UK Gambling Commission to regulate the industry.
Kelly's second book, "Red Card: A Bet You Can Win!" is a testament to his dedication to recovery and his desire to help others. With his unique perspective as a recovering addict, Kelly offers a message of hope and resilience, proving that it's never too late to seek help and start anew.
Through his story, Tony Kelly hopes to inspire others to speak out about their own struggles and seek help before it's too late. As a recovering addict, Kelly's wish for the book release is to continue to raise awareness and educate the public about this crippling disorder, and to provide a beacon of hope for those struggling in silence.
