Crocked Dryden faces financial blow

Monday 05th June 2006

Ryman League Division One South club Dover Athletic have issued the following statement on their website – www.doverathletic.com - regarding the fitness of star striker James Dryden, 26.

“There has been much speculation about Jimmy Dryden’s injury during the past week and Dover Athletic are now in a position to comment after consultation with a top specialist and the player himself.

”Jimmy unfortunately injured his knee while on a short holiday in January shortly after he signed for Dover Athletic.

”He visited a specialist in Ashford and had a scan. The results showed some damage and swelling to his right knee but were inconclusive - and the medical advice was that Jimmy should rest for six weeks to allow it to heal naturally and he could then, most likely, return to action.

”But, although after this period, Jimmy – while receiving treatment – was able to play for the final 10 minutes of games towards the end of the season, it soon became clear his knee had not healed as hoped.

”The club, clearly concerned with this, decided to send him to a top London specialist, who was unsure about the full extent of the injury and recommended that he should have a further scan.

”The results showed damage to the knee, but, thankfully, not to his cruciate ligament. But there is damage to a couple of smaller ligaments – which will need an operation to repair and recovery periods are an average of six to nine months.

”Jimmy also has the option to continue playing, while receiving intensive physio, but would run the risk of making the injury worse – which could end his career and leave him crippled.

”But an operation would cost £8,000. The player’s injuries are only financially covered by the club’s policy during Dover Athletic on-field activities. Unfortunately, Jimmy did not take out any travel or medical insurance for his ski-ing trip – and the club are not in a position to pay such a large amount of money.

”However, some officials at the club, along with possibly Jimmy’s father, Archie, have pledged to meet the cost of the operation.

”But Jimmy has to consider the implications of deciding to go-ahead with an operation. Firstly, he will be in plaster for some months and will not be able to work, meaning he will lose his income. Also the club will not be able to pay him during this time too.

”Other clubs may have decided to sack Jimmy for being in breach of contract as he got injured in an activity away from football. But Dover Athletic appreciate that, although this is a big blow for the club, the serious implications for Jimmy and we are not going to abandon him.

”We are glad that we decided to send him to a top specialist, as otherwise the full extent of his injury may not have been diagnosed and he could have ended up causing lasting damage to his knee.

”The club recommend that considering Jimmy is in his mid-20s he should go ahead with the operation. Naturally this is a tough decision for Jimmy and we will support him with whatever he decides.

”If Jimmy decides to go ahead with the operation it means he will not be available until after Christmas – and the club will be looking into the options of how to counter his absence.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk would like to wish the former Folkestone Invicta striker a speedy recovery.