Former Lincoln City defender Jaden Brown has made a heartbreaking admission to gambling addiction in a social media post.
Brown, who had a season-long stay with City, arriving under Mark Kennedy and leaving under Michael Skubala, has seen his career go from being an England youth international to being without a club at just 27. His last club was St Mirren, who cancelled his contract after a driving conviction.
He’s been off the radar since, although he did appear in the PFA team in pre-season for out of contract players. It seems he hasn’t fixed himself up with a club, but this weekend, he has made a brave admission to gambling addiction.
“I’m not a bad person nor evil,” he wrote on social media. “I was doing so well for myself until I started gambling, it was an addiction I couldn’t stop! No matter how hard I tried.
“It ruined my career my relationship with people and the hardest thing about it all it was so hard to tell anyone about my addiction.
“It’s embarrassing to talk about the amounts I’ve lost or what I’d do or the extremes I’ll go to try make it back.
“I can honestly confirm that gambling addiction has to be the worst type of addiction.”
“Writing this breaks my heart because I know how much it’s changed me. I know how much I’ve constantly let people down or inconvenienced people.
“I pray that anyone out there uses me has an example. Stay far away from the gambling. I wish I was man enough to speak to someone! Anyone! In more detail of what I’ve been going through due to gambling.
“I don’t want people to feel sorry for me as I’ve said before anyone that has thoughts to gamble speak to someone.
“I loved life before gambling! I loved how happy I was I loved football, I always wanted to be around friends and family.
“You could feel my energy it was contagious I was just always smiling and about good vibes. Now I’m just a total different person.
“My family and friends I’m sorry! I’m sorry for the embarrassment and disappointment. I’m not and never have been struggling with life in general.
“I have felt suicidal because of gambling and the positions I’ve put myself in due to gambling and my time has come.
“Also check in on loved ones about their mental state. I’m sorry for everyone I’ve let down.”
There has since been a concerted effort from people to check on Jaden’s welfare, with Sheffield Wednesday journalist Joe Crann speaking to him.
“Just spoken to Jaden Brown this morning, and I’m glad to say that he’s safe and with his family,” he tweeted. “He said it really meant a lot to hear how many people were looking out for him. ‘God bless the football community.’”
Jaden began his career in the Tottenham Hotspur academy, where he progressed through the youth ranks before leaving in 2019 to join Huddersfield Town. He went on to make 28 league appearances for the Terriers before departing in 2021.
He joined Sheffield Wednesday in July 2021 and featured 20 times in League One as part of the squad that secured promotion to the Championship in 2023. Following his release that summer, he penned a two-year contract with Lincoln City.
Jaden never got going at the Bank. He quickly fell out of favour with Mark Kennedy, but was given a chance by Michael Skubala, only to fall out of favour a second time.
He made 10 league appearances in the 2023–24 campaign, including his debut against Notts County in the EFL Cup, but by January 2024, he had moved to Scotland on loan with St Mirren. Upon completion of his loan, he returned to City, but was never likely to pull on the red and white again.
That switch was made permanent in June 2024, and he added a further seven Premiership outings before his contract was terminated later in the year.
Everyone at the Stacey West wishes Jaden all the best, and hopes he gets the help he needs to get himself back and track.
If you are suffering from a gambling addiction and need help, the organisation below may be able to help.
- The National Gambling Helpline (run by GamCare) – call 0808 8020 133 for free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for free information, support and counselling
- GambleAware – the National Gambling Support Network service
- Primary Care Gambling Service – a national service providing support for anyone experiencing gambling-related harms
- GamLearn – the Gambling Lived Experience and Recovery Network service
- Gamblers Anonymous – a local support group service that uses the 12-step approach to recovery
- Citizens Advice Bureau – a charity that can advise you on a range of issues, including finances and gambling
- ChapterOne – a charity that can provide advice and support for anyone experiencing gambling-related harms
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