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The manager of Slough, Scott Davies, is once again participating in the first round of the FA Cup, but this time his only goal is to experience the thrill of victory.
Davies, who openly acknowledges that his gambling problem led to the end of his professional career, was a member of the Crawley team that made it to the fifth round in 2012.
During Steve Evans’ leadership, Crawley was successful in four matches before ultimately losing to a Premier League team, Stoke. However, Davies finds it amusing that he did not play a part in that winning streak.
Davies stated to the PA news agency that he did not have a significant role in the team during that season because he had a falling out with the manager. This was said in the context of discussing sixth-tier Slough hosting Sky Bet League Two team Grimsby on Sunday.
However, this is now an unusual situation for a former player who was heavily affected by a gambling addiction. At 26 years old, he retired from professional sports after losing over £200,000.
Davies first became involved in gambling ten years prior when he entered a bookmaker’s shop to pass time after practicing with Reading’s youth team. However, in a split second, his £50 weekly salary was lost to the roulette machine and he found himself unable to afford the £1.50 bus fare for training.
Over the course of the next decade, the midfielder was able to score against Chelsea during pre-season. However, he missed out on the opportunity to work with former Royals manager Brendan Rodgers. He also frequently placed bets on himself and squandered a £30,000 signing bonus within two weeks. Ultimately, his actions caused harm to those closest to him.
Numerous reminders went unheeded: dozing in his vehicle, debt collectors banging on his door, and even a collision while he was distractedly watching horse racing on his mobile device while behind the wheel.
However, one year following his departure from Oxford, Davies was overwhelmed when he saw his mother in distress outside of a betting shop. This ultimately led him to seek treatment at Tony Adams’ Sporting Chance clinic in 2015.
He stated that his lowest point was when he had to give up his football career due to his gambling habits.
I no longer deserved to be a professional footballer because I was not living up to the expectations of a professional.
.
I am currently rectifying the football-related mistakes that I regret. As a manager, I am confident that I will experience some incredible days, and I hope that one of them will be this Sunday when my team wins.
The manager and player of Slough, Scott Davies.
About a year after leaving professional sports and playing in non-league, I suddenly realized something that hit me hard.
In 2015, I was struggling to find my sense of self and lacked any organization, direction, or daily habits in my life. This led me to resort to self-harm in my kitchen, a low and difficult time for me.
In hindsight, I recognize that I attempted to handle the issues alone without the necessary skills.
“When I began discussing the matter, I felt as though I was making progress and it has now been over eight years since my last bet.”
“I have definitely made progress and am feeling positive about my current situation.”
After completing rehab, Davies has significantly changed his lifestyle and currently makes frequent trips to training grounds of both the Premier League and Football League. He does this as part of his job with EPIC Risk Management, a worldwide consultancy that focuses on reducing gambling-related harm.
Although the 35-year-old individual acknowledges that football is now placing greater importance on addressing gambling, providing more resources for education and assistance, he is disheartened by the circumstances of Brentford player Ivan Toney and Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali. Both players are currently facing suspensions for their involvement in betting on the sport.
“We strive to maintain the utmost level of integrity in our game, yet I am disheartened by the fact that individuals are facing addiction,” Davies expressed.
We may overlook the individual and focus solely on the narrative. Nobody purposefully makes a bet with the goal of ruining their career, but addiction can overpower rational thinking.
Based on my understanding, both Tonali and Ivan Toney have faced challenges with gambling. It is my hope that they receive the necessary support to overcome this issue and come out stronger.
“I am eagerly anticipating Ivan Toney’s return. It will be wonderful to see that he has overcome any challenges he may have been experiencing and received the necessary support.”
The “reinvented Scott Davies” is about to reach one year as a manager, enjoying married life and satisfied with his life overall.
Davies has been with Slough since 2018 and has played in 179 matches. In November, he was appointed as the permanent player-manager and successfully led the team to survive in the National League South last season.
Currently in his initial complete season as a coach, Davies will face a team from the Football League on Sunday as Grimsby travels to a completely sold-out Arbour Park. However, the ex-Reading student has no present wishes to go back to the professional world.
Davies stated that many individuals have suggested he earn his badges and concentrate on becoming a manager in the Football League, but he has a unique perspective.
Given my life experiences and past locations, I am currently satisfied and joyful with my role as player-manager at Slough and my work with EPIC.
I approach each day as it comes, as I have done for the past eight years.
“I am currently making up for any past mistakes I may have made in football. As a manager, I am confident that I will experience some incredible moments and hopefully, the first of those will be a victory on Sunday.”
Source: independent.co.uk
