Thatcham Town’s Southern League Division 1 South fixture against Bashley on Tuesday, 12th of February, was at a club reeling in sadness.
Player Jordan Chiedozie is in a coma in hospital after suffering life-changing and career-ending injuries in a freak road incident on February 1st.
And the Hampshire club suffered another blow just hours before the Thatcham game. Whilst preparing the pitch, volunteer Peter Burr suffered a suspected heart attack, fell backwards and cracked the base of his skull.
Burr received CPR from other club members before the ambulance arrived to rush him to hospital.
The medics said that the outcome could have been different if they had not successfully applied the life-saving equipment.
“We must be the unluckiest club around,” committee member Roger Ware commented. “These two incidents have left a dark cloud over the club and there have been a lot of tears.”
In his programme notes on Tuesday, Bashley chairman Steve Lewis praised Thatcham as they had agreed to postpone the game which was initially scheduled for February 4.
He wrote: “The Berkshire club had no hesitation in agreeing the postponement we asked for. So on behalf of Bashley Football Club, I would like to thank Thatcham and the multitude of clubs and fans who have sent goodwill messages to Jordan and ourselves.”
The 30-year-old Chiedozie, son of former Tottenham Hotspur winger John, was on his way home following the game at Tavistock, accompanied by one of the club’s physios Reighan Taylor.
Their car sustained a flat tyre on the M27 and Chiedozie got out on the hard shoulder to investigate but was then struck from behind by another vehicle, causing multiple injuries. He was rushed to hospital and put in a controlled coma.
It has been reported that the driver of the other vehicle involved has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury.
Reighan Taylor was not hurt physically but left extremely traumatised by the incident.
The Bashley players set up a GoFundMe page for teammate Jordan, who is self-employed in the building industry.
Their initial target was £25,000, but that was passed early this week following close to 800 donations.
Steve Lewis described the support from clubs and individuals as “absolutely amazing”, adding: “Our thanks go to them on behalf of Jordan, Reighan and all at the Bash.”
The match against Thatcham ended all square at 1-1 with both sides scoring in stoppage time.
The hosts took the lead through Josh Bertie in the 91st minute from a free-kick that “should never have been given” according to Thatcham’s X feed.
Three minutes later, the Kingfishers equalised. They were awarded a penalty even though spectators close to the edge of the penalty area claimed the foul took place outside the box.
In his match report, former Reading Chronicle sports editor Roger Ware commented: “Referee Paul Barber blew to point for a Thatcham free-kick on the edge of the area and seemed sure of his decision. However, Thatcham persuaded him to consult his linesman and the lino convinced Mr Barber it was inside – so a penalty.
“Mack Allen (goalkeeper) dived brilliantly to his left to push away Kyle Daniel-Spray’s spot kick, and Christian Johnson skipped in to net the rebound. That said, a draw was probably a fair result.”
Johnson, who started on the subs bench, is one of the players the Kingfishers have on loan from Maidenhead United.
Thatcham remain in the relegation zone but have shown improved form in the last couple of weeks and will be looking to secure more points from two successive home games, against table-topping Yate Town on Saturday the 15th and Westbury on the 18th.
If you would like to make a contribution to the GoFundMe setup in aid of Jordan, you can do so here. We have taken the decision to remove advertising from this article.
