Chatham Town 0A0 Folkestone Invicta - Green suffers three breaks in horror injury

And so it proved to be as first a Rapid Response paramedic arrived and then after what seemed an age (and was indeed almost 40 minutes after the event) an ambulance finally arrived to treat the stricken player. 

But then there was still a problem in moving Green onto the stretcher, but eventually the paramedics, and a team of volunteers lead brilliantly by Chats physio Emma Turner and included medical staff from Folkestone Invicta, and Chatham boss Alex O’Brien, finally got Green into the waiting ambulance and away to hospital.

For Green, who has already once battled back from a leg break in his Margate days, now faces Surgery at the hospital today (Wednesday) to attempt to mend the break.

The game itself was rightly abandoned by Orpington official Andy Mead who himself was clearly shaken by events. 

Speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, Mr Mead echoed the thoughts of many watching on when he said, “No one likes to see anything like that and it’s a very disappointing way to end what had been an enjoyable game.  I was told when the incident happened that the ambulance would be 20 minutes.  As we stand here now and talk its another 15 on top of that and still no sign, and with the rain coming down quite hard and the other players getting cold there really was no other option than to abandon the game – but of course my main consideration is to Mark still out there on the deck; he was my first priority!”

Also clearly shaken was Folkestone boss Neil Cugley.  “It’s such a shame that a good game of football – and fair play to Chatham for getting the game on; no complaints about the surface whatsoever – will be remembered for seeing Greenie lying that.  He played for us too which makes it even tougher to watch!” 

The Folkestone boss was though pleased with his side’s performance in the game itself.  He said, “Both sets of players had given everything – they were causing us problems on the break – but at times some of our football was excellent but we had to be wary of them catching us on the break!  But now we’re all down – it’s horrible – you just feel for Mark, it’s awful for him and such a great shame for everybody!”

Cugley added: “It’s a horrible way to finish our games for the Year.  But forget the game; forget the points and everything else. Greenie’s got a terrible injury and football secondary tonight – I’ve never ever agreed with the old Shankley saying, and the bottom line is that your life and your health is far more important than a game of football and that tonight is all there is to it!” 

A visibly shaken O’Brien who was by his players side until the ambulance arrived continued, “It’s a pain for Mark as he’s come back once from a broken leg before and now tonight he’s broken the other leg, and its just something that you don’t want to see. 

“I know it happens and that football is a physical game and things like broken bones are always going to happen.  But when it does happen it knocks you for six.

“I don’t think it was down to the conditions – you just had two committed players colliding.”

For the record the game itself was goalless when Mr Mead abandoned the contest. 

Folkestone were twice denied in the first half by wonderful Dean Ruddy saves – himself just returned from visiting his ill father in the USA – whilst Brendon Cass was only millimetres away from putting the home side in front with a deflected shot that hit the underside of the bar and bounced on the goal line before being cleared.

But as O’Brien said, the way the night ended really does put our great game into context, and on behalf of THE entire Kent football family, www.kentishfootball.co.uk send Mark and his family our very best wishes for a speedy recovery.

O'Brien confirmed that Green has suffered three breaks in his tibia and fibia.

Our thoughts are with you Greenie…

Chatham Town: Dean Ruddy, David Hall, Mark Green, Matt Solly, Richard Avery, Brad Potter, Matt Rowe, Jimmy Lyons, Brendon Cass, Lee Barnett, Ray Powell (Ashley Probets 74).
Subs: Lew Watts, Michael Scott, Justin Ascheri, Richard Stroud.

Booked: Ray Powell 59

Folkestone Invicta: Jack Delo, Josh Vincent, Josh Burchell, Liam Friend, Frankie Chappell, Micheal Everitt, Darren Smith, Liam Dickson (Pete Williams 64), James Everitt, Jimmy Dryden, Jimmy Jackson.
Subs: Ollie Bartram, Jon Driscoll, Craig Thompson. Micky Dix.

Attendance 216
Referee: Mr Andy Mead (Orpington)
Assistants: Mr J Ridout and Mr O Jackson