Footballer sends message to opponent whose horror tackle left him with broken leg
Gateshead star Greg Olley suffered a broken leg, dislocated ankle and ligament damage after being on the receiving end of a horrible tackle from Woking's Dion Kelly-Evans
Gateshead captain Greg Olley has sent a classy message to the opponent whose nasty tackle left him hospitalised.
Olley was on the receiving end of a poorly-timed challenge from Woking’s Dion Kelly-Evans after just 13 minutes on Saturday. The Woking defender was sent off for the tackle which left Olley in agony and needing urgent medical treatment.
The 28-year-old left the pitch on a stretcher and the match was suspended for an hour while he received treatment. After a standing ovation from fans, he was taken to hospital in an ambulance, allowing the match to resume, with Gateshead grabbing a 2-0 win in his absence.
A video of the tackle quickly spread on social media, with people concerned about Olley’s condition, but he tweeted on Sunday evening to reassure his followers. “Surgery all done and went well,” Olley wrote. “Broken leg, dislocated ankle, plus ligaments all ruptured. No hard feelings at all towards Dion, these unfortunate things happen. Recovery starts now.”
Gateshead boss Rob Elliot gave an emotional interview to the club’s media after his side secured three points. He wanted the game to be called off, but was persuaded by Olley and his team-mates to see it through.
“I’m absolutely gutted and devastated because there’s no need for it to be in that situation,” Elliot said. “We just have to make sure that we’re there for Greggy, support him and take it from there.
“Greggy wanted us to play the game and carry on. It was more the lads that dictated it. I was quite distressed and wanted to call the game off. The lads and Greggy made the right decision and I thought we went about the game really well – but it’s kind of hard to talk about the football after that to be honest. We did what we needed to do.”
He added: “Frazer Bell and the doctor and physio from Woking were fantastic in getting him organised and making sure after a lengthy spell that Greg was in a comfortable place.”
In an earlier statement, Gateshead said: “Greg Olley is now in a stable condition, and will undergo surgery on Sunday morning after suffering a broken leg during today's game.
"All at Gateshead FC would like to thank both the medical staff in attendance for their professionalism in quickly dealing with the medical emergency concerning Greg, and those at Woking FC for their care and concern in the immediate aftermath.
“We would also like to acknowledge the immense team effort from players, staff and supporters after the decision was taken for play to resume, in what has been a difficult afternoon for all associated with Gateshead FC.”
Woking tweeted: “Everyone at Woking Football Club wishes Greg Olley a speedy recovery”.
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