QUEEN’S Park manager Callum Davidson has expressed hope the awareness programme which will be delivered to every senior club in Scotland this season will prevent players from suffering gambling addiction in future.

Davidson helped EPIC Global Solutions to launch the programme, which is being run in conjunction with the title sponsorship agreement which the SPFL have struck with betting firm William Hill, at The City Stadium along with his old Scotland team mate Dominic Matteo earlier this week.

EPIC have enlisted speakers who have experienced gambling-related harm, like ex-Liverpool, Leeds United and Blarkburn Rovers defender cum midfielder Matteo, to speak to players, staff and supporters across the country about their experiences and Championship outfit Queen’s Park were the first to sign up for a visit.

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Davidson has seen many former team mates suffer from gambling problems in the past and he is hopeful the new initiative will help to address an issue which he has witnessed first hand. 

“The programme they are rolling out that Dom has got involved in is fantastic,” he said. “Dom has been through a lot and it is important that players listen and try to understand the pitfalls and where they arise. Back in the day there wasn’t a lot. What we are trying to do is stop problems arising at source.

“I saw players struggle. You would hear them talk about things, but you probably never knew the extent of what was going on in somebody’s personal life. You just thought it was a bit of fun.

“But when it becomes serious sometimes things can grow arms and legs and put players in a position. It is something we want to stop. On a bigger scale, it is something you need to stop, stop that addiction. It is great we have got this programme, this partnership here.”

Davidson added: “What I think is really important is how you educate young players. The really important age is between 17 and 21. We really need to educate players after they leave school. There are things we can improve on. If you can stop a handful of people going down that dark hole it is definitely worth it.

“It is really important to have a top player who has played at the highest level telling them. I probably didn’t realise back then, I was in my own world. But I think maybe I could have helped players, could have put them in a place where they could get help.

“That is the message I would like to get across. Can you help those players before the issues arise and during their difficulties? How do you help them not get there? Then how do you help them when they are there? If people don’t go to those deep, dark places that a lot of players I have known in my career got to it will be positive.”

Callum was speaking at the launch of a new gambling harm prevention programme, being delivered to players, staff and supporters at all 42 SPFL clubs, as part of the competition’s new title sponsorship deal with William Hill.

A series of education sessions will be delivered across the clubs by EPIC Global Solutions, who have been enlisted to provide speakers who have experienced gambling-related harm and will recount their experiences to help audiences recognise the signs of similar issues in their own lives.