Williams, whose gambling issues for over a decade stemmed from seeking a distraction during two long-term injuries following Wrexham’s relegation from the EFL in 2008, felt it was a valuable visit to Wigan, explaining:

“The staff showed great interest in my story, and we had some excellent engagement during the session.

“I was able to answer a lot of questions about how staff can work with their players to create a culture where gambling can be an open topic in dressing rooms - not in the old-fashioned sense where people are sharing tips - but to open up if they are finding that it is costing them more time and money than they can afford to lose.

“One thing that’s always clear during EPIC’s sessions is that we aren’t a prohibitionist organisation trying to stop people from gambling, we simply want to empower people with the knowledge to make informed decisions around their personal relationship with gambling and ensure that clubs understand the performance and wellbeing benefits of creating an open environment where players can confide in other people around the club if they feel gambling is affecting them as individuals.”

More information on EPIC’s gambling harm awareness services can be found at

Latics Academy staff receive an EPIC lesson in preventing gambling-related harm