When she took to the pitch on Sunday afternoon, Deanshanger Athletic Ladies FC goalkeeper Leanne Dunne was excited to get back the game she loved after an extended break.
But her time in play was cut short when she suffered a devastating injury while clashing with an opposing player.
Leanne was taken off and sat out the rest of the game, but she didn't realise the severity of the accident until the following day.
“After a hard night of pain and bad swelling around her right knee she went to A&E and after an X-ray it was discovered that she had in fact very badly broken her knee to the point that she now needs an operation,” said Alan Ostler, manager of Deanshanger Athletic Ladies Football Club, “Naturally we are all gutted for her as this means a significant spell on the sidelines.”
It also means that the mum won't be able to do her job, driving trucks.
Aside from the loss of income, Leanne will also have to undergo lengthy rehabilitation, with an estimated recovery time of between four and six months.
“It was just a freak accident, and thankfully not the sort of incident we see often,” Alan told MKFM.
In a bid to ease the financial strain that Leanne will face, Alan has set up a GoFund me to help get her back on her feet.
“Leanne is a much loved player and person at our football club and this injury has hit us all really hard. We have set this up so we can try and raise some money to help while she is out of action,” he said.
“If we manage to raise enough money it will be spent to help while there’s a loss of earnings and anything else will go towards rehabilitation so we can get Leanne back to her best.”
If you would like to support Leanne please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-support-leanne-and-her-recovery
