Mickey Thomas is a former Welsh international footballer who had spells with Manchester United and Chelsea although his football playing career is perhaps most remembered for the equalising goal he scored for Wrexham which helped knock Arsenal out of the FA Cup together with scoring in a game for Wales where they beat England.  Although off the pitch, he has revealed in his new autobiography that over the years he lost up to £500,000 on gambling.

The 54 year-old now commentates for radio station XFM Manchester and has appeared in the 5 a side Masters Series football tournament for retired players.  Despite recovering from his gambling addiction he has admitted he still has financial trouble caused by his problem gambling.

He told Wales On Sunday, “In extreme gambling cases like mine you always think you are in control – you never are.”

“I’ve lost a fortune over the years.  Maybe it’s £250,000.  Maybe it’s more like £500,000.  Thinking back, that’s probably nearer the mark and I’m not proud to admit that.  It was easy money.  Easy to blow £10,000 on a spin of a roulette ball or the flick of a card.

“It’s an addiction which grabbed me at United but it’s one that has grabbed me more in my later years when I retired.”

Thomas hit rock bottom in 1993 in the final stages of his playing career, when he was put in prison for his involvement in producing fake money which he gave to youth players at his then club, Wrexham.  No doubt he also used this fake money to pay for his gambling.

He has said going to prison for the forgeries was one of the scariest moments in his life.  Even so, Thomas has always been a joker and when a policeman inquired about the fake money Wales On Sunday reports that he said, “Come back tomorrow and I will give you loads.”

He continued to say that he’d like to warn players about the dangers of gambling addiction.

“When you get ridiculous amounts of money at such a young age it’s hard to stay on the straight and narrow.

“I think the PFA (Professional Footballers Association) should employ me to go round clubs and talk to players.  I have had the experience of being there and plummeting into every pitfall going … and coming out the other side.

“Who better to guide young players on hopefully wonderful careers?”        

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