Squad's picked for Lee Browning's testimonial match at Herne Bay on Sunday

KENT FOOTBALLERS are playing a testimonial match for Lee Browning on Sunday to raise funds for the well-respected former Herne Bay midfielder.

Browning, 29, was airlifted to hospital after a clash of heads during a Ryman League Division One South game against local rivals Ramsgate on 19 March.

Whilst the initial scan reported not to have shown any issues, a subsequent consultation with a specialist neurologist resulted in the player being given the sad news that he will not be able to play any contact sports again for fear of brain damage and loss of sight.

Having already donated the proceeds of the re-arranged match with Ramsgate to the Kent, Sussex and Surrey Air Ambulance for their sterling work in getting the two players to hospital, Herne Bay’s Winch’s Field will stage a testimonial match for Browning, who is unable to drive and continue his business as a self-employed carpenter or play football again.

Current Herne Bay manager Sam Denly has picked a side that will play a Tommy Warrilow Select XI, players who have played with or against Browning over the years.

“Really look forward to Sunday’s testimonial game for Lee Browning and expecting an excellent turn out to celebrate what a fantastic player Lee is,” said Denly.

“Everyone knows how devastating it was for Lee when he received news that he could no longer play anymore.

“For someone with such talent to hear his career was over at such a young age was a huge blow for himself and football in general.

“Lee is one of the cleverest players I have managed, making third man runs look easy and showing a real art to finding holes and exploiting opponents weaknesses. 

“This game is to honour a man that has all the attributes to have made it within the game only to be taken away from him in such a cruel way.

“The most important thing for Lee is that he remains healthy and stays in and around football in some capacity. 

“There will be two teams playing on Sunday to show how much Lee was thought off, a real mix of past and present that have all been part of Lee’s journey.

“It will be a special day and one that we will all remember, having had the honour to have played with or against or had Lee playing for us.

“My Herne Bay squad will be playing a Tommy Warrilow squad and promises to be an excellent day to remember a top lad and a lad who leaves a huge hole within the footballing circuit.

“I hope everyone makes the effort to be there on Sunday to remember one serious player.”

Warrilow was Browning’s manager at Tonbridge Angels and he too was devastated to hear the news.

Warrilow, who was recently appointed the new manager of Thamesmead Town, said: “The initial thoughts were the phone’s going, text messages about ‘have you heard about it?’

“I didn’t know how bad it was then I found out and made a few calls.

“It’s just not nice. It took us back to the Browno and Suarez incident. Thankfully I got a photo of him from Mark Lovell and Danny Walder with Browno in his bed saying he’s fine and he’s up and awake.

“It’s just not nice. When you heard how bad it was with the Air Ambulance your mind goes back to that horrible say with Mikel and Browno so thankfully it didn’t turn to that scenario.

When Warrilow was told that Browning could no longer play football again, he said: “That just knocked me for six! Any footballer will tell you that’s a massive thing to be told!

“I feel for him but at the same time what he’s been told he’s not a silly boy and your health is more important.

“The most important thing now is make sure on Sunday hopefully a lot of people turn up and give him a send-off that he deserves.

“It’s devastating! He’s still a young enough lad to play at a very, very good level and he’s a fit boy as well so it’s not to be sniffed at that you’ve been told that you can’t play again.”

Warrilow has selected a strong squad to play in Sunday’s testimonial game.

He said: “I contacted a majority of people who have played with me and people have contacted me who wanted to be involved so I knew there wasn’t an issue to fill a side.  We had some of the play-off scenarios that dictated to some people committing.

“There’s more than enough players to come down there and make it a fantastic day.”

Both managers have today selected their squad’s to play in the game:

Herne Bay:

Jack Delo
Dan Johnson
Liam Quinn
Garry Sayer
Michael Turner
Danny Walder
Harry Brown
Connor Sanders
Danny Williams
Elliot Cutts
Sam Hallet
Mark Lovell
Sam Hasler
Kane Phillip
Joe Nelder
Dan Parkinson
Gorgio Russio
Nathan Eastwood
James Turner
Ben Brown
Sam Denly
Gavin Theze

Tommy Warrilow Select XI:

Lee Worgan
Scott Chalmers-Stevens
Ben Judge
Steve Watt
Nathan Green
Rory Hill
Chris Piper
Lennie Piper
Scott Kinch
Lewis Taylor
Carl Rook
Adrian Stone
Frannie Collin
Andy Pugh
Alex Teniola
Mikel Suarez
Andy Hessenthaler
Nicky Southall
Steve Lovell
Laurence Ball
Ricky Spiller
Bob Chivenden

Management Team:
Manager: Tommy Warrilow
Assistants: Alex O’Brien and Terry Sedge
Physios: Melvin Slight and Tina Jenner

Visit Herne Bay’s website: http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/hernebay

Herne Bay  v  Tommy Warrilow Select XI
Lee Browning Testimonial Match
Sunday 15^th May 2016
Kick Off 1:00pm
at Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5SG