Ledbury goalkeeper still hopes to make his wedding on time (From Hereford Times)

Ledbury goalkeeper still hopes to make his wedding on time

10:30am Friday 13th April 2012 in Local News

A FOOTBALLER was airlifted to hospital after suffering a serious injury in the first minute of a local cup final.

Ledbury Town FC Reserves goalkeeper Mark Davis was left on the ground in agony after breaking his leg in two places during a collision just 25 seconds into the team’s highly-anticipated Ross Cup final against Sinkum FC.

The referee was left with no choice but to abandon the fixture as Mr Davis, aged 30, was treated by paramedics before being flown to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, where he is now recovering after surgery on Wednesday.

It is hoped he will be allowed home this evening.

Despite his injury, Mr Davis has vowed to go ahead with his wedding to fiancée Helen, scheduled to take place in just five weeks.

His best man and fellow reserve team player Mitch Preedy, who stayed at his bedside after the incident on Monday.

“Mark is gutted, particularly with the timing, but they will still be going ahead with the wedding, without question,” he said.

“It is a nasty injury and he will be on crutches for the big day but they are determined to go ahead.

“It is quite a messy break but Mark is not in a huge amount of pain and he is quite well in himself.

A lot of the lads have been in to see him and everyone is thinking of him and wishing him the best.”

Club chairman Andy Kibble, a long-serving Ledbury paramedic, was at the match in Ross-on-Wye and rushed to assist Mr Davis before Ambulance crews arrived.

“The ref blew for kick-off and within 25 seconds Mark was involved in a 50-50 challenge on the wet ground,” he said. “He went down and just stayed down. As soon as I got over to him I could see from the disfigurement that he had severely fractured his leg.”

The match was abandoned as Mr Davis was flown off by Midlands Air Ambulance 20 minutes later.

“It was a big match for us and the lads were really up for the cup final but there was no way it could continue,” said Mr Kibble. “It left everybody in quite a sombre state and the players from both sides and all the officials were very concerned about Mark’s welfare.

“Mark is a popular player and a talented goalie and he will be a big loss to us. You never expect something like this but it just brings home what can happen on the football pitch. On behalf of everyone at the club I wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.”