Perthshire footballer injured in alleged assault faces end of career.

John Black accepts injury means playing days are probably over

A former Dundee FC youth player who suffered a serious head injury in an alleged assault is coming to terms with the fact his playing days may be over.

John Black, 20, from Blairgowrie, had surgery to replace part of his skull at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, on Monday. While he has responded well to the operation he still has a long journey ahead of him.

His mother June Black said: “He still has double vision, anxiety, concentration and memory issues and is tired. “He just wants to sleep all the time. Mrs Black, from Blairgowrie, said the procedure took 90 minutes and her son was now recovering at home with his girlfriend, Joanna Taylor.

Mrs Black said that while in many ways he had responded well to the injuries sustained in the alleged assault on Dundee’s Hawkhill in October, the recovery process will take a long time.

“With the severity of John’s brain bleed, to come out of it relatively unscathed has astounded doctors,” said his mother.

“The enormity of the injury has hit him and his dream of his football career taking off again has died a death.

“He could never head a ball with that plate.

“John has a lot of emotions – sometimes he is quite accepting, sometimes angry and sometimes sad.

“He is a young lad and should be enjoying himself.”

John is not feeling up to taking in the Dundee versus Celtic game on Boxing Day as had been planned but the family hope hospitality can be arranged by the club at a later date.

Mrs Black said the family are looking forward to enjoying Christmas together and she is grateful for the support he has had from a number of quarters.

The family also wanted to give something back and efforts by his sister Jenna, which also involved friends of John’s getting their heads shaved, has raised £3,577, which will be split between A&E, the intensive care unit and the neurology ward at Ninewells Hospital.

A 23-year-old man appeared in court charged in connection with the alleged assault in October.

Robert Chambers, from Dundee, was subsequently released on bail.

He still has double vision, anxiety, concentration and memory issues and is tired. JUNE BLACK

Picture: SNS. 20-year-old John Black suffered a serious head injury in an alleged assault in October.