Former Newcastle United starlet Nile Ranger found out the hard way how not everything that glistens is gold.
The ex-Magpies prospect had the world at his feet after becoming a Premier League player in his teens, but that talent went wasted after Ranger fell victim to the high life. After earning £10,000 a week at his early peak, the forward succumbed to a gambling addiction that once saw him flitter £32,000 in eight weeks as he made daily trips to the casino.
“I was doing some mad things. It was bad what I was doing," he told The Athletic. "The chairman [Mike Ashley] tried to help and to stop me from going to casinos. I was going to casinos every single day.
READ MORE: Nile Ranger wants one more shot at football and says 'I should be Championship, minimum'
READ MORE: Kevin Keegan gave Nile Ranger real rollicking vs Arsenal – and badboy was 's****ing it'
"I tried it, I started getting hooked. Derek Llambias [then-managing director at Newcastle] phoned me one day and said, ‘We need to have a meeting.’ He said, ‘We’re taking it out of your hands — we’ve been hearing you’re going to casinos every day. You’re banned as we own them. . .you’ll thank me in the long run.'"
Ranger's story is not an isolated one, and it's becoming increasingly common for footballers to confess or be caught out for gambling addictions. In his case, the stigma was so severe that Ranger's mother and sister had to intervene in an effort to protect his finances.
Which past Premier League player is the biggest waste of talent you've seen? Let us know in the comments section below.
"I was borrowing money off people, including [then-team-mate Fabricio] Coloccini," he continued. "One time, my mum and my sister said, ‘You’ve done £32,000 in the space of two months.’ That’s when it hit me hard. My mum said I had to stop.
“I’m an addictive personality. I got addicted to it, that feeling of winning would be outrageous, that adrenaline was crazy. I thank God for my mum because there were times I was getting big money each month and she was like, ‘I’m taking this.’ She dealt with everything.”
Join the Daily Star's WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and lots more
The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us!
Through the app, we'll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…along with the latest breaking news of course.
To join our community, all you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in!
No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
Since leaving Newcastle in early 2013 after he was arrested on suspicion of rape – of which he was later cleared – Ranger has served two prison terms. The London native was jailed for online banking fraud in May 2017 but was released after serving just eight weeks of an eight-month sentence.
Now without a club for 18 months, Ranger has been left to reflect on a career that he is adamant could have turned out much differently. The 32-year-old last turned out for National League side Boreham Wood in May 2022, having struggled to make an impact with Southend and Spalding United in the few years prior.
It's Ranger's belief that if he 'added nutrition to his game and behaviour', he'd have the same ability as Manchester City marvel Erling Haaland. As it stands, however, a Championship title with Newcastle in 2010 – a season where he scored twice in 30 appearances – is his greatest on-field achievement.
Source: Read Full Article