Carrick Rangers ahead Paul Heatley stated he hopes his damage in opposition to Bangor on Saturday will spotlight the pressing have to launch funding to golf equipment to improve stadium services throughout Northern Eire.
The 38-year-old collided with the wall surrounding the pitch at Taylors Avenue eight minutes into the second half of his facet’s Irish Premiership sport.
He acquired remedy along with the pitch and was taken to hospital after being positioned into the ambulance on a stretcher, earlier than being discharged on Sunday.
The choice was then made to abandon the fixture by referee Christopher Morrison as there was no ambulance in place after Heatley was transported from the bottom.
Carrick have been one among 20 golf equipment who progressed to the following stage in a bid to safe a slice of the Northern Eire Soccer Fund.
They utilized for £5.8m for enhancements to Taylors Avenue, however should undergo one other stage of evaluation earlier than any funding is handed out with no timeline in place for the following steps.
Posting on social media on Monday, Heatley known as for “rapid funding” to be launched to Irish League golf equipment to make sure “nothing like this ever occurs to any participant sooner or later”.
“Thanks to everybody for all of the messages of assist from my very own membership and team-mates to the broader footballing group it has been actually unbelievable,” he stated.
“To the coaches, physios and docs of each Carrick Rangers FC and Bangor FC I’m without end grateful, together with the superb care given to me from the ambulance service.
“A really particular shoutout to the stewards and the women within the membership store for taking care of my youngsters while I acquired remedy, no baby ought to witness such a scene at a soccer match and also you stored them distracted and entertained all through, thanks all. A number of stressed nights lay forward however will take that, realizing it might have ended a lot worse.
“I hope this incident highlights the necessity for rapid funding to be launched for Irish League golf equipment to supply a correct, protected atmosphere for gamers, workers and supporters, to make sure nothing like this ever occurs to any participant sooner or later.
“With energy comes accountability, so for these in energy and authority across the Irish league, welfare and funding, the accountability lies with you.
“Thanks once more to everybody.”
