'I starred in Old Firm demolition β I became a delivery driver after going bankrupt'
Former Celtic winger Bobby Petta recounts his fall from grace following bankruptcy and subsequent career changes.
Bobby Petta, a former winger for Celtic, gained fame during a remarkable 6-2 victory over Rangers in 2000, but faced bankruptcy years later after making bad financial decisions. After trusting unreliable financial advisers, Petta lost a significant amount of his savings, leading him to take on jobs outside of football, including working as a delivery driver and DJ.
At 51, Petta reflects on how his life has drastically changed since his heyday in professional football. A once-celebrated athlete, he now leads a more modest life, filled with various jobs to make ends meet after his financial troubles extinguished his dreams of a comfortable retirement. Notably, Petta has also had minor brushes with fame, including an appearance in a film featuring Brad Pitt, highlighting the rapid shifts in his life from well-known player to struggling worker.
While the details surrounding the amount he lost due to fraud remain undisclosed, Petta's story serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerability of athletes to financial exploitation after their careers end. His journey sheds light on the need for better financial planning and the risks associated with trusting unverified advice, especially for retired sports professionals.