In September 2023, I was playing my first football match of the season for the new team I had signed for. I had recently found my love for the game again after going through a bit of a slump. Excited to play with my lovely new team mates, I was eager to get going.

Everything was going well, but suddenly in the 50th minute, I was pushed from behind, my foot stayed planted and my knee went the opposite way, releasing a noise that could be heard from the side line. I knew deep down at this point, I had done something bad.

I was seen at the minor injuries unit, told to go away and come back if my knee still hurt in the next few days. Told it was most likely a small MCL tear and I’d be back to football in 10 weeks. How wrong they could have been. Scans the next month confirmed an ACL rupture, I found this out in January 2024.

I discussed with the physio in January that I wanted reconstructive surgery and he confirmed he would call back in 6 weeks to get me on the list.

Fast forward to August 2024 almost a year post injury, I still hadn’t heard anything from the hospital nor been able to get through to anyone.

I had to go through complaints to finally get through to someone, to be met with the conclusion that I would be put on the list- but the list is a 12-18 month wait. This was soul crushing having already waited almost a year. This hasn’t only had a detrimental physical effect but mentally I am struggling to cope.

I’m now over 1 year post ACL rupture and meniscus tears. I’ve been told that I will have to wait another year to 18 months for reconstruction surgery. At which point I will be 2-2.5 years post injury. By the time I have recovered, 3-3.5 year post injury.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the funds to pay for surgery privately which is likely in the region of £9,200. So I’m asking for any donations to help me get back to playing the sport I love.