Marc Williams | MY STORY
Having impressed during the early stages of his Wrexham career, the world seemed to be at Marc Williams’ feet.
However, a series of unfortunate injuries led to a gambling addiction, which spiralled out of control and severely affected his mental health.
Fast forward to now and the Llandudno attacker is now thriving, having taken the step to receive the help he needed.
Williams candidly shares his story of growing up around gambling and reaching his lowest point.
“I had always grown up around gambling,” he began. “Living on the seaside, I was always in arcades. As a family, we had traditions like the Grand National, having scratch cards at Christmas; I always had a pack of cards on me, playing double or nothing in the playground, so from a relatively young age, it was an environment that I enjoyed.
“When I left school in the hope of becoming a professional footballer, I was instantly involved in the betting culture in sport, it was everywhere. The first-team lads at Wrexham would have the horseracing on, we’d always have sweepstakes, I’d put accumulators on, but it was done socially and it was something I enjoyed.
“It developed then when my wages increased. I’d start gambling more with bigger stakes. Rather than just on the weekend, it was two or three times a week and I came across things like roulette and black jack.
“At the age of 20, my career was taking shape. I was playing for Wales’ U21s with the likes of Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey, I had the biggest purple patch of my career at Wrexham that year. I lived in this big adrenaline rush of scoring winning goals.
“There was a lot of interest from Championship and League One clubs in January, but I stayed at Wrexham, where my wages was three times what I was earning beforehand.”
Having been prolific for Wrexham at the beginning of the 2008/09 season, Williams as rewarded with a new contract at the club.
However, the striker explained that his wage hike and injuries led to further issues with gambling.
“Unfortunately, four weeks after signing on the dotted line, I broke my fifth metatarsal. It was like a crash back to reality. I was alone, bored, wasn’t around the lads and that adrenaline of matchday and scoring winning goals wasn’t there. I didn’t really know how to cope with it.
“I started gambling more then and the money was there because of the new contract. I was gambling bigger money, it wasn’t a case of £20, it was £100 on each bet. It was filling the void at the time, but it escalated out of hand.
“When I got back fit, I now had this addiction where I wanted to be gambling all the time, as opposed to playing. I felt comfortable in the gambling world, away from the criticism I was receiving that I wasn’t the same player as before my injury. My career just faded away before my eyes.
“It was pathological where all I wanted to do was gamble. I didn’t want to be around anyone, isolated myself from family, friends and neglected my little daughter when she was born.”
Prior to seeking help for his gambling addiction, Williams vividly recalls reaching his lowest point.
“It was the last time I placed a bet, November 7th, 2018. I had accumulated so much debt at this point and I was in a really dark place. I had become a monster, I was extremely angry, treated my parents really badly and neglected my daughter.
“That particular week, I couldn’t pay off the debt, the credit cards, the payday loans and I had spent that much money that I had to do something drastic, otherwise my secret would come out. I got my last payday loan of £10,000 and lost that in 40 minutes.
“I remember screaming, throwing my iPad, dropped down to the floor and crying my eyes out. My daughter crawled over and she was wiping my cheek. I think I then realised how gorgeous she actually was, I hadn’t paid attention because I was that fixated on gambling.
“I thought that I wasn’t only ruining my own life, so I needed help to be a better dad and a better person. Three days later, I was in a support group.
“Now, my life in four years has completely changed. I never thought I’d be here, where I am and how I feel today. That’s just come from getting help and having a good recovery community.”
Street Football Wales aims to offer opportunities for people who have been socially isolated and excluded, providing an open, inclusive and safe environment to come and play football.
With a vast number of our players expressing the benefits since joining, Williams believes football has the ability to change lives.
“In my experience, through addiction, I isolated myself and spent a lot of time on my own, so having that support network is key. Being active is a massive tick for your mental health, being around people, making friendships and having a laugh.
“Building that bond through football, there’s no better feeling than being part of something and feeling worthy. That side of what sport can bring makes you feel like you are something, because if you have struggled, anything that you’ve gone through, you feel lonely in those moments, but when you’re accepted and you’re enjoying it, there’s no better feeling than that.”
With drop-in sessions in Rhyl, Swansea, Merthyr Tydfil, Haverfordwest and Cardiff, Street Football Wales offers a safe space all over Wales to anyone struggling in society.
Having been through gambling addiction and mental health issues, coming out the other side and rebuilding his life, Williams highlighted the importance of seeking support.
“The hardest thing to do is admit that you’re not in a good place. For me, I was so embarrassed of how I’d treated people and what I’d become. There’s nothing harder than saying that you’ve got it wrong.
“But, once you get the help, you do things that are going to improve your mental health. Being active, having people around you and talking more, what it can do is massive.
“It’s important that people speak out and get help, but secondly, get involved in what you’re doing because it will be beneficial in the long term to enjoy life and feel like that are worth something.”
To register to our programme at Street Football Wales: click here.