STROKE FORCES RETIREMENT

WORMLEY Rovers goalkeeper Allan Buck has immediately hung up his boots after collapsing with a stroke minutes before Friday night’s Buildbase FA Vase first qualifying round game at Biggleswade United.

Buck, 34, was doing pre-match warm-up exercises with the team when he collapsed on the Second Meadow pitch. The Biggleswade physio gave him first aid before he was taken by ambulance to Lister Hospital in Stevenage. The game was abandoned before kick-off.

Father-of-one Buck, who previously played for Ware, Hoddesdon Town and St Margaretsbury, was discharged from hospital at 4am yesterday after undergoing a brain scan.

Shortly afterwards he posted a message of thanks to both Wormley and Biggleswade on social media, adding: “Sorry for ruining everyone’s Friday Night Footy!”

He later tweeted: “I want to thank the Biggleswade physio, their staff and the Wormley Boys for making sure I was safe throughout tonight’s experience until the paramedics got there. It definitely wasn’t pleasant and [I’m] grateful to you all!

“Apparently I’ve had some sort of stroke before, which I have no recollection of, being referred to specialists for further examinations. There’s no damage to my brain or anything else from this stroke/seizure.

“Looks like it’s finally time to hang the gloves up. It’s been a pleasure playing with so many teams and players over the last 18 years and no doubt I’ll be along to watch games and see some familiar faces.”