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Word is he was whacking money on Alan Smith 1st goal.

 

Matthew Etherington given pay rise by Stoke to combat £800,000 gambling debts

 

Matthew Etherington insists he is winning his fight to overcome a gambling addiction and has been given a pay rise by Stoke to help him pay off debts that spiralled to £800,000.

 

Etherington responded to claims he is being pursued by bookmakers and still owes a six-figure sum on Tuesday. His club have extended his contract to more than £30,000-a-week with some of his salary earmarked to pay off his debts.

 

Previously, former club West Ham had advanced a loan of £300,000 to help the player.

 

And yesterday he said: ‘I’ve never really spoken about it, but I go twice a week to Gambling Anonymous in Birmingham. I’ll do that for the rest of my life. You are just meeting like-minded people and you talk about things that help keep you off gambling. It has been a big help.

 

‘I had to do something about it — and I’ve done that. Now I’d like to get on with my life. I would be the first to admit I had problems with gambling and I never hide that fact.

 

‘My problems had been well documented and I would like to think they are long behind me now. I’ve got over that and come out the other side.’

 

Etherington was first treated for his gambling addiction in 2007 when Sportsmail revealed he had entered the Sporting Chance clinic to confront his demons. He denied claims of death threats and police involvement.

 

West Ham had to gain permission from the Premier League to advance his wages as they helped him to try to deal with the matter, while his form fluctuated. He was sold to Stoke in 2008.

 

Etherington has been one of Stoke’s shining stars this season and he insists the problems are historical. He denies gambling, although it has become a major problem among modern players.

 

Etherington says he has finally turned his life around since quitting London and signing for Stoke and his boss, Tony Pulis, has recently been calling for his inclusion in Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad.

 

Etherington said: ‘It’s obviously nice to hear people talk like that and my form has been good over the past three months. But there are many good players in my position and I won’t be one of those coming out shouting that I should be in the squad.’

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1248113/Matthew-Etherington-given-pay-rise-Stoke-combat-800-000-gambling-debts.html

 

 

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Another Leeds/Spurs game, another decent haul. Same bet as last game (+3.5 goals) and an £80 win as a result, delighted. Got to love injury time goals when they go your way.

 

Now, let's not try to spunk this away like I did on Charlton (home to Leyton Orient) last time.

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