Former Footballer Reveals Himself as 'The Secret Footballer'

Dave Kitson, who played for clubs like Reading and Stoke City, unmasked himself after years of anonymity.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 7:39pm

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Former professional footballer Dave Kitson has revealed that he was the anonymous author behind the popular 'The Secret Footballer' column and book series. Kitson, who played for clubs like Reading and Stoke City, said the project initially started as a way for him to express his frustrations with the sport, but the pressure of maintaining his anonymity eventually became a heavy burden, especially after the tragic death of fellow player Gary Speed.

Why it matters

Kitson's 'The Secret Footballer' provided a rare, unfiltered insider's perspective on the professional game, captivating readers for years. His decision to finally reveal his identity sheds light on the personal toll of maintaining anonymity and the evolving media landscape where athletes have more outlets to share their experiences.

The details

Kitson, who also played for clubs like Cambridge United, Sheffield United, and Portsmouth, wrote five acclaimed books and a popular weekly newspaper column under the 'The Secret Footballer' pseudonym. His candid observations and criticisms of the sport sparked widespread speculation and internet sleuthing among fans trying to uncover his true identity. Kitson said the initial goal was to illuminate the industry's inner workings without 'naming names,' but the pressure of secrecy soon became overwhelming, especially after the tragic death of Gary Speed, which made him realize the profound weight of his anonymous observations.

  • In the 2010s, Kitson penned five books and a weekly newspaper column as 'The Secret Footballer'.
  • Kitson revealed his identity as 'The Secret Footballer' in a recent YouTube interview.

The players

Dave Kitson

A former professional footballer who played for clubs like Reading and Stoke City, and was the anonymous author behind the popular 'The Secret Footballer' column and book series.

Gary Speed

A fellow professional footballer whose tragic death in 2011 was a pivotal moment that made Kitson realize the profound impact of his anonymous observations.

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What they’re saying

“I am The Secret Footballer. I've never said that out loud before.”

— Dave Kitson, Former Professional Footballer

“It was fun for a while, then it bred huge anxiety. I lived in constant fear of being 'sacked and ostracised' if my identity was revealed.”

— Dave Kitson, Former Professional Footballer

“Nobody talked about mental health in football then. If you spoke about it, you were seen as weak. I said there was a mental health epidemic and I predicted it was only a matter of time before someone took their own life. On Sunday, Gary Speed was found dead. That's when the Secret Footballer stopped being fun.”

— Dave Kitson, Former Professional Footballer

The takeaway

Kitson's decision to reveal himself as 'The Secret Footballer' after years of anonymity highlights the personal toll of maintaining a high-profile secret identity, as well as the evolving media landscape where athletes have more outlets to share their unfiltered perspectives on the sport.