I can't thank Dartford enough helping Green's recovery, says O'Brien

Monday 22nd February 2010

CHATHAM TOWN boss Alex O’Brien has paid tribute to his counterpart at Dartford to allow one of his players to use the excellent facilities at Princes Park to battle back to fitness, writes Stephen McCartney.

Popular player Mark Green - who helped Dartford clinch the Ryman League Division One North title a couple of season's ago - broke his leg in three places whilst playing for Chatham in a Kent derby against Folkestone Invicta just four days after Christmas.

And on the eve of Folkestone’s return to Maidstone Road to replay the game - the original game was abandoned after 80 goal-less minutes - all attention turns to Green’s well-being.

“He can’t do any rehab yet, but he’s still on his crutches and still walking about and trying to get out as much as possible,” O’Brien told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“He’s been coming to our games when he can, but not when it’s cold as he can’t run about or keep warm and he will be there on Tuesday and I’m sure he will get a decent reception because he will have a little presentation.

“It just shows that we take football or take life a little bit for granted. He’s got a long way to go but I’m sure mentally he’s a very, very strong lad and before you know it he will be back training and running and raring to go.”

O’Brien praised Darts boss Tony Burman in allowing Green to use the facilities at Princes Park.

“Tony Burman has been fantastic and as Dartford is on Greenie’s doorstep he can go down there and do his rehab and get some physio and use the machines down there, which is credit to Dartford.

“It just shows you that the wellbeing of the player is what comes first and I can’t thank Dartford enough and the fans have been fantastic (organising bucket collections).

“If times are hard people will come together and the goodness will come out and that has been shown and proved in the case of Mark Green.”

Looking forward to the game, O’Brien urges his troops to inflict a fourth defeat on Neil Cugley’s side.

Invicta were defeated 2-0 at Sittingbourne at the weekend and picked up their first red card of the season when Simon Austin challenged goalkeeper Deren Ibrahim early in the second half.

“You’ve summed it up!” O’Brien said. “It will be a Kent derby so anything goes on the night, anything can happen.

“It’s a re-arranged fixture when unfortunately Mark Green broke his leg so I’m sure it will be a very entertaining game. People will want to win, they will want to address Saturday’s defeat and we want points any which way we can get them. I’m sure there will be two teams going for it.”

O’Brien is someone who you would want to be in the trenches with you and he added: “Myself and (assistant) Lew (Watts) always want to try and win a game of football, but it’s going to be a very competitive and very tight game and we’re hoping we’ll get a bit of luck that we deserve.

“Folkestone are a very organised side and they don’t give much away. They’ve won so many games one-nil but sometimes they’re the teams that win the league’s.

“They’re very organised and hard to break down. They have the momentum to nick a goal right at the death. A lot of their goals come after eighty minutes.

“We’ve got no pressure. The pressure’s on them as they still want to be up there and we’re fighting for points but I’m sure tomorrow will be a decent Kent (derby) game.”

Skipper, Richard Avery, meanwhile, has been ruled out for a couple off weeks through a badly bruised ankle, whilst John Wilfort continues his lengthy suspension.

Visit Chatham Town’s website: www.chathamtownfc.net

Chatham Town v Folkestone Invicta

Ryman League Division One South

Tuesday 23rd February 2010

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Maidstone Road Sports Ground, Bournville Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME4 6ES