TIME WE LOBBIED FOR BETTER HEALTH CARE

AS their left-back Casey Linsell lay on the turf unable to be moved, so much in pain was he and so worried were all who could see his injuries, Leverstock Green officials rang 999 several times to summon an ambulance.

None came. Finally five minutes before midnight – two-and-a-half hours after the FA Cup replay against Edgware Town had been abandoned – a doctor rang from Watford General Hospital with instructions on how to move the player.

Officials and a playing colleague who had stayed with him, helped the player to his grandparents’ car and they drove him the 10 miles to A&E, where he was found to have a broken ankle and damaged ligaments.

At Salisbury FC over the last two seasons we have waited for ambulances that didn’t come for players with shoulder injuries and in the end taken them ourselves to A&E. Other clubs are also reporting excessive waits or the non-arrival of ambulances.

We were quoted £400 for hiring one, if we wanted but it shouldn’t have to happen. It probably wouldn’t higher up the football pyramid, given the greater potential for bad publicity.

Football at any level should not expect special treatment. Just acceptable treatment.

Surely the FA can lobby the Department of Health for better care for injured players?

After all the game contributes large sums to the treasury, not least in VAT on gate receipts.