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Footballer says sorry for horror-injury tackle
I'M NO THUG ... says Lee Paul Scroggins, formerly of South Shields.
AN amateur footballer at the centre of a broken leg storm insisted today he is no thug on the pitch.
A tackle by Lee Paul Scroggins in the high-profile FA Vase clash between Whitley Bay and West Auckland on Saturday resulted in former Newcastle United youngster Alex Francis sustaining a compound fracture.
The game was halted for more than half an hour while an ambulance was brought onto the pitch, with Scroggins receiving a red card on the resumption of the game.
Angry non-league football fans have flooded internet forums condemning the player, and calling for him to face a lengthy ban over the challenge.
But Scroggins, from Horsley Hill, South Shields, insists there was no malice in the tackle, and that it was just mistimed.
He said: “I’ve watched the video over and over again. For me, it was a 50-50 tackle.
“It wasn’t two-footed. I’ve gone in and I’ve been slightly late, which I didn’t intend to do. I don’t go out of my way to hurt anyone.
“Alex is a nice kid and a great player, but I didn’t go out to hurt him.
“For people to say I have gone out of my way to hurt him and to put my mark on the game are wrong. People who know me know I wouldn’t do that.
“I would make that tackle 100 times a season and the other player gets up.”
Scroggins, 30, was captain of South Shields before moving to fellow Northern League side Whitley Bay in the summer.
And he says the incident has made him question whether he wants to play again, after admitting to feeling sick as he waited on the pitch while Francis was receiving medical attention.
He said: “It’s all I’ve thought about for two days. I’ve even spoken to my wife about whether it (playing football again) is worth it.
“I wish Alex a speedy recovery. I haven’t spoken to him. I would like to, but I’m going to wait and let things settle.
“He will be angry, and I can totally understand that – my brother broke his leg on the pitch.
“I was praying for the ambulance to come as quickly as possible and give him something to relieve the pain.
“If I hadn’t been sent off, I wouldn’t have continued, I would have asked to be subbed.
“I felt sick inside. The physio told me it was a compound fracture and I felt sick. I can’t turn back the clock, but I wish I could.”
West Auckland won the game 2-1, ending Bay’s three-year reign as holders of the Vase.
Twitter: @rossgregory9
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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Comments
There are 4 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
harry mcgarry
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 09:36 PMthe games about aggression as well as out else,so if say ferdinand terry or who ever made the tackle it would of been unfortunate cos they would of been able to play it over an over again and that would of been that so divin worry scroggs it could be you next week,wish the lad speedy return and get on with it,gud luck
East Boldon Lad
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 04:17 PMI'm an ex rugby player; regrettably broken legs occur, I have witnessed a few incidents, where legs and ankles have been broken in my sport, both as player and spectator, none of which have been the result of malicious intent or foul play. It is a cruel blow to both the injured party and the tackler, both of whom can do without it being hyped up by the press and social mediaites.
HebburnHero
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 03:52 PMHaving watched the video it's a full blown 5050 challenge and IMO no intention to do damageharm, yes it's late and that's what causes the injury, but it happens and all of us involved in football understand that. Pointing the finger at Scroggins is not the answer Gazette Editor!!!, from what i know in the non-league scene, he's a talented footballer who is obviously shook up himself with what's happened so much so hanging his boots up has crossed his mind!! He's apologised and will do to the lad who he injured when the time is right. Hope the lad recovers well. PS Don't let stupid journalism kill the non-league scene like it has done to professional game (reckless challenges and all that)....
ex shipyard worker
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 02:30 PMI've looked at the video and it does look like a 5050 tackle to me , unfortunately sometimes people in sport do get injured , it goes with the territory , this tackle looks like one of those occasions and I'm sure there was no intent from Scroggins to cause injury to the fellow. Hope the young injured man heals quickly with no lasting damage. ps it takes a man to apologise
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