Scott Davies, the player-manager of Slough Town, is on a dual mission: to guide the lowest-ranked team left in this season's FA Cup to a historic third-round berth, and to educate a new generation on the perils of the gambling addiction that once consumed his own life.
A Career Derailed by Betting
Sitting in an empty dressing room at Arbour Park, the 37-year-old reflects on a professional playing career that spiralled out of control. Davies's addiction began during his time as a promising Championship midfielder with Reading. He recalls scoring a memorable free-kick against Petr Cech in a 2009 pre-season friendly, believing he had 'made it'. Yet, behind the scenes, his betting was already rampant.
He would sneak out of training to visit bookmakers, fabricating excuses like dentist appointments. His lie was spectacularly uncovered by then-manager Brendan Rodgers, who demanded proof. Unable to provide it, Davies was subsequently frozen out at Reading. The addiction followed him through loans and subsequent clubs. While at Crawley in League Two, he began gambling on his own matches, even sneaking into toilet cubicles at half-time to place bets.
The low point came aged 26. After a failed move to Leeds United fell through, he lost £7,000 in a single day. His career went into freefall, dropping three divisions to Dunstable Town. "I remember looking at Reading's stadium as we drove past it to play Bideford and thinking: 'What has happened?'" Davies says. "I'm never going to forget that moment."
Recovery, Management, and a New Purpose
After entering rehab a decade ago, Davies has not placed a single bet. He now works for Epic Risk Management, delivering hard-hitting talks in schools like Aylesbury Grammar about the dangers of gambling. He believes young footballers, with their disposable income, spare time, and competitive instincts, are particularly vulnerable. "When you put all of those things together, you've pretty much got the perfect customer for a bookmaker," he states soberly.
His path to management was unexpected. In 2022, with Slough Town in need, the board asked the midfielder if he wanted the job. "I was a bit bamboozled," he admits, having only recently completed his UEFA B licence. Alongside his assistant Tony Fontenelle – his former coach at Dunstable – Davies has fostered a supportive environment at Slough, breaking down the macho culture he experienced as a young player.
"We always stress that we're not just managers: we're life coaches, we're counsellors, we're father figures," Davies explains. "We've had lads in this changing room stood here crying, with our arms wrapped around them." Now a settled husband and father, he aims to right the wrongs of his playing days through a distinguished management career.
The FA Cup Dream and a Potential Windfall
On the pitch, Davies's focus is on Slough's historic FA Cup run. The Rebels, currently third from bottom in the National League South, are the competition's lowest-ranked survivors. They have navigated four rounds already and face Macclesfield in the second round this Sunday. Slough have never reached the third round, holding the unfortunate non-league record of eight second-round exits.
The financial stakes are enormous. A draw against a Premier League giant in the next round could generate a life-changing seven-figure windfall for a part-time squad comprising builders, personal trainers, and teaching assistants. The prospect of facing a manager like Pep Guardiola is tantalising for Davies.
"I don't think there would be any tactics that go with the game," he laughs. "It's one of those where you'd be happy to lose the football match just for the experience." He adds, "It's incredible to see the non-league teams that get drawn against some of these giants over the years. You see it and you think: 'One day, can it be you?'"
Balancing his educational work with management, Scott Davies is a man driven by past regret and future hope, aiming to create a fairy-tale cup moment for his club while ensuring others don't repeat his mistakes.
