I've lost the lot, says star

EXCLUSIVE By Steve Madeley: One of the Black Country's best-known football stars today admitted to a 16-year gambling addiction and said: "It's taken everything I've ever earned."

Darren Wrack, aged 31, made 331 appearances for Walsall but said he considered suicide over the compulsive betting.

He has now gone eight weeks without a bet after a month in the Sporting Chance clinic in Hampshire founded by ex- England star Tony Adams.

"I could put a figure on what I've lost but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that," said Wrack.

However, a conservative estimate of his losses would be more than £500,000.

"I know it's a lot of money but I know I'm never going to get it back. And I don't want it back because it would throw me into gambling again and I don't want the life I was living."

Wrack, who also played for Derby County and Grimsby, borrowed money from Saddlers team mates to fund his bets and put club officials in charge of paying his bills to avoid his wages being gambled.

Formerly of Cannock, he is now living in rented accommodation in Sutton Coldfield and his partner Leighsa Knowles is standing by him. He added: "I didn't know where my next meal was coming from sometimes. Three or four years ago I had no food in because I'd spent all my money on gambling and that still wasn't rock bottom."

But he reached 'rock bottom' eight weeks ago when a heavy loss led him to contemplate suicide and forced him to seek help.

Darren left the Saddlers in May and a club statement today said: "We wish him well in his rehabilitation."

EXCLUSIVE By Steve Madeley