KING’S Road star Leon Watson has today revealed his battle against an addiction that threatened to cut short his playing career.

The Orange Caps all-rounder has come clean about how he had a five-a-day Mars bar habit, frequently washing the confectionery down with sugar-packed cans of Coca-Cola.

At his lowest ebb the 30-year-old, a King’s Road mainstay since the club’s earliest days, went to a supermarket to buy groceries but became so confused he left with nothing but choccy ice cream, bingeing on a tub at a time.

Watson has told friends how he is trying to kick his habit by going cold turkey, refusing even sweets in case they lead him back down the path to what he calls the “dark place” where he was before.

He has even taken up running in an effort to improve his fitness before the King’s Road season opener in April, and is hoping to build on the performances that saw him win 2008’s Champagne moment for a spectacular run out.

But sweet-toothed Watson told a friend he realises his chocolate crisis is far from over, with the fight against the craving testing his willpower every day.

Fat-busting

He told a pal: “I was driving along when I passed a newsagents. I stopped outside and my hands gripped the steering wheel as I thought of all the Mars bars, Wispas and Boosts inside.

“I was there for several minutes, sweat dripping down my face as I battled against my demons.

“Luckily I was able to resist, but I know that I will always face this struggle. I know now that I will always be an addict but have to take every day as it comes.”

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Friends of the player have revealed their fears that Watson may crack under the pressures of a season with King’s Road.

One told KRCSC News: “It won’t be easy for Watson, particularly at the Orange Caps’ home games.

“With the legendary spreads the team put on, it’s going to take a real effort for him to avoid falling off the wagon.

“Hopefully his team-mates will rally round and restrain him if he gets too near the cakes.”