A FUNDRAISER has been set up after the assistant manager of a football team suffered a serious injury during a game.

Nearly £2,500 has been raised so far to support player Ryan Monaghan, 36, of Ponteland United, and his family.

The centre-back was taken to hospital by ambulance during the game against former club Burradon and New Fordley after he ruptured his kneecap, sustained damage to his anterior and medial ligament and suffered nerve damage to his left leg.

Monaghan sustained the injuries in a 50-50 challenge with Jonathon Crisp near the centre circle in the final minute of normal time in a game that ended 4-1 to New Fordley.

Club manager Liam Bell, who took over the running of the club at the start of the season, replacing Liam Mcivor, now of Newcastle Blue Star, set up the GoFundMe page with a target of £5,000 after it was revealed Ryan will now likely retire from football.

He will also have to take time off work, as a self-employed welder in Barrow, after spending five days in hospital and being seen by physios.

"A lot of people, not just from Ponteland, were getting in touch with me asking 'how can we help?'" said Liam.

"When bad things like that happen, a lot of the football community gather round a bit and try and help people. He is obviously very appreciative."

Burradon manager David Malone, who was celebrating his 50th birthday on the day of the match, added: "I was delighted with our second half display and the final result but gutted to see our former player Ryan Monaghan suffer that bad injury at the end.”

Ponteland United will soon move to a new pitch at the leisure centre.

Manager Liam added:"It's been a bit of a rebuild this season. We're winning some games, we still need a bit of experience, but this season was all about getting our feet back under the table and building a team for next year. We're not far away, the signs are there that we can do really well.

"It's a really young squad, the average age is 22. They're all young and want to work hard and learn."

Donations can be made to gofundme.com/f/support-ryan-monaghan-following-football-injury