Tendon gone

Sam was short of players for his new Sunday league. I've never been a great footballer but enjoy a kick around. Went to Skipton to buy some boots, socks, shorts, and shim pads. Felt nervous but good. Sam collected me at 1725 ready for 1830 kick-off. The team had been named the half-time oranges. We had a good warm up, passing the ball around, occasion shot at goal. Once Tony arrived we were only short of one player. So one of the lads from the other team played for us. We were a primary school dad's team, they were a pub team. Both joined the league at the last minute.

I played on the right. It work quite well. I occasionally found space. I even had a shot but never really connected. By the end of the first half I was knackered. We had no subs. I think the score was 0-0 and we'd had the better chances.

We lost a goal right at the beginning of the 2nd half.  Maybe 10 minutes into the second half I found myself near the goal area withheld ball out wide. Suddenly I felt a pain in the back of my left leg. The ball must have been drilled into my leg, I thought. I fell and then picked myself up but then fell again.  I dragged myself to behind the goal line. I was in pain. I was still trying to get myself fit to go back on and help out.  I even walked back on and hoped I could help evening I could not run. It was too bad and I came off again. The game ended 3-3. I was in pain, but it was suggested that we go for a pint. That felt like a good idea.

When I got home my leg had swollen up. I had ice, then a cold bath, then a gin and tonic. The next day I had a course in Skipton. I worked out I could drive using my heal on the clutch. I phoned the doctors and got a call back. They suspected a ruptured tendon and that I should come in.  I headed over. The GP quickly identified it as a ruptured achiellies tendon and told me to go to casualty. I got a taxi and was a pound short for the fare.  Within 2 hours they had diagnosed my ruptured tendon and had put me in a cast. I had an appointment for the next day at 10am. Heather (mother-in-law) drove me home. I was on crutches and by now was feeling very sorry for myself.