The beautiful game and gambling have a complicated relationship. Just like elsewhere in the world, several prominent Scottish footballers have been known to enjoy a flutter. Although many footballers aren't open about this aspect of their lives, some don't mind and frankly discuss their gambling in interviews and books once their playing days are done. So, which Scottish footballers are the most famous names to have confirmed their love of a wager?
Well, although none of Scotland's biggest ever footballing stars have openly talked about gambling regularly, there a few names long-term fans might remember who have done. These three have around three dozen caps for Scotland between them, and two of them had very successful careers all things considered.
Paul Dickov Was Open About His Love of the Horses
Livingston-born striker Paul Dickov spent his whole playing career in England, although he did pick up 10 caps and one goal for Scotland. He spent most of his years at Manchester City and Leicester City, scoring 98 goals in 10 years at the top level. And, during most of that time, he maintained a casual relationship with gambling - mostly betting on horse racing.
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Since retiring from football and management, Dickov has undertaken promotional work for a few different gambling sponsors. Including one sponsored social media campaign that reunited him with the shirt he wore (and scored in) during Manchester City's League Two playoff final victory over Gillingham in 1999.
Dominic Matteo Won and Lost A Million Pounds
Dumfries-born midfielder Matteo also spent his whole career playing in England, but represented Scotland a handful of times. Matteo spent the majority of his playing years at Liverpool and Leeds United, having been scouted by Kenny Dalglish at age 15.
However, despite a relatively successful top level playing career, Matteo was a prolific gambler. In his autobiography he claimed to put have a £200,000 bet on a single horse race, which won and made him a million. But then he gambled it back to the bookies over the following month.
Although he says his gambling did at some points affect him mentally, Matteo was part of the famous early 2000s Leeds team that made the Champions League - arguably the most successful era of the club's history. Although his finances were questionable at the time, Leeds' finances were far worse and the club collapsed not long after Matteo left in 2005.
Nowadays, having reckoned with his million pound win and subsequent loss, his gambling is much more conservative. He is open about his love of a flutter, but uses his experience to caution young footballers and potential gamblers about the risks. Matteo credits the birth of his daughter for changing his attitudes towards personal spending. He has also criticised the drinking culture in football at the time of his youth, which he said contributed to poor gambling decisions.
Jimmy Gauld Was at The Heart of a Match Fixing Scandal
Jimmy Gauld was born in Aberdeen in 1931 and had a fine career as a journeyman number 10, but never really set the game alight. His best achievement on the field was the 1954-55 League of Ireland season where he was the league's top scorer with 30 goals for Waterford. Over his 13 year career he also played for Aberdeen, Everton, Charlton and even briefly played in Canada.
However, Gauld is not really remembered for any of that. He is more notoriously known for a 1964 match fixing scandal that saw him sent to prison. Not only that, Gauld chose to end his illicit gambling career by incriminating three Sheffield Wednesday players who it was later determined he encouraged into the scheme. Gauld was paid £7000 by the Sunday People to reveal the story.
The following players were eventually arrested and charged over the scandal, recieving the following sentences:
- Brian Phillips - 15 months
- Jack Fountain - 15 months
- Dick Beattie - 9 months
- Sammy Chapman - 6 months
- Ron Howells - 6 months
- Ken Thomson - 6 months
- David Layne - 4 months
- Tony Kay - 4 months
- Peter Swan - 4 months
Gauld ended up spending four years in prison on fraud charges, and was fined £5000 (£89,000 in today's money). Interestingly, Gauld's self-taped discussions of match fixing with his fellow conspirators ended up being the first piece of recorded audio evidence used in a British court.
So there you have it, three Scottish footballers who loved a gamble. Two top-level footballers who treated gambling differently, and one 1960s journeyman who would have largely been forgotten if not for his illicit gambling activities.