A Capel Plough player has thanked his club and the SIL community for their support, after he suffered a broken leg in a recent Senior Division game.

Craig Parry (26) broke his tibia and fibula during an accidental collision with Leiston St Margarets’ goalkeeper Gary Lambert on October 8, prompting the game to be called off after just seven minutes.

Since then, Ipswich-based Craig, has been inundated by well-wishes, home visits and kind donations from his club and its committee members, plus the officials from the game, who donated their match fees to him.

“I’ve been taken back by the support, it’s very humbling as a local footballer,” said Craig.

“This is not me courting sympathy but football gets a lot of negative press at all levels and I want it known how fantastic everyone has been.

“The SIL is a real close-knit community and a number of clubs have been in contact or gone on the Green’Un website wishing me well in my recovery.”

Capel raised £300 for their player at a recent fundraiser, on top of £150 already donated to him, which included £60 from EADT and Ipswich Star’s Capel columnist Bob Morrison.

Recalling the collision, the former Sproughton Sports man added: “The keeper was in tears but it was a complete and utter accident.

“I was in an incredible amount of pain, my foot and ankle had detached from my knee and players held my leg together until the ambulance arrived. I had my leg reset in hospital which was not nice – I felt everything, despite being on morphine and gas and air. Apparently I have a high threshold to pain-killers!

Looking ahead to his recovery, Craig, who could be out for up to a year, revealed: “My calf muscle has basically disintegrated and I can’t bend my knee without screaming.”