Nigel Quashie

[SheepRanger]

Copied from his FB.....

"There’s no such thing as an ice bath being painful compared to the pain my left ankle brings. After shattering my left ankle in a game against Tottenham, I went through three operations and tried time and time again to keep playing. Eventually, I was advised it was best to call it a day. Carry on could have led to long-term issues with walking due to bone-on-bone wear and tear. When you love the game, you always try to compensate and try to find a way back.

The reality is, after serious operations, you’re never quite the same. Over time, complications can spread into other areas — in my case, affecting the rest of my left leg up to my knee. People often ask why I spend so long in the ice bath when most would only do a few minutes. Even a few days of reduced pain gives me the chance to keep coaching and stay involved in the game I love. At times, the inflammation after coaching is excruciating. Recovery routines like this make it possible for me to continue doing what I’m passionate about.

One thing I’ve learned through all of this is that you never know when your career can change or end. Football brings incredible highs, but also real challenges and setbacks on and off the pitch. To all young players:

- Make sure you value your education, never take this game for granted and never just have Plan A playing football.

- It’s about having Plan B, C, D & E that really matters because things can change in the blink of an eye".

[Abseits]

Dunno what you can do... there's a high likelihood we'll all experience a life-changing injury or impairment at some point but you can't go through your day-to-day life fretting about it or trying to plan for it. But, you can strive to be useful and productive I reckon.

Anyhow, slightly related... it really grinds my gears how much feigning and faking injury goes on in modern football. It was bad enough when it was done to con a freekick out of the ref or to get an opponent carded but now they do it purely to stop play when opposition has the ball or to have a 3-minute break and tactical pep talk with the manager. Real/genuine injuries end careers and, as Nigel explains, change lives so it's scandalous to pretend to be injured, like parking in a disabled spot when you're not disabled.

[SheepRanger]

After seeing this article I did a bit of research on ankle replacements. Unfortunately they're no where near as successful as hip and knee replacements, only recommended for those over 55yrs and there's no guarantees they'd bring an end to the pain.

Of course he wouldn't swap his career for where hes at right now, but hes got years of struggle ahead of him. I guess there's only so many painkillers and anti inflammatory drugs you can take!

I saw the photos of him on his FB page in the ice bath and one showing only minor scars on his ankle. He looks really fit and youd never know the struggles hes facing.

I thought with medical science as it is, the days of the crippled old footballer were over.