Keeper in head injury scare as match is abandoned

Mark ‘Wolfie’ Thornley, from Thornton, is recovering in hospital after the incident on Saturday afternoon while playing for Garstang FC at home against Hesketh Bank.

The 49-year-old, who has played around 600 matches for Fleetwood Town, Morecambe and Lancaster during his career, was knocked unconcious for 30 minutes after the clash, with an air ambulance called to take him for treatment.

Les Taylor, Garstang FC commercial manager said: “It was a bad one.

“A ball has come into the box and the two have clashed heads – Mark was hit on the temple.

“He never moved for 30 minutes – it was very worrying.”

Mr Thornley was taken to Royal Preston Hospital in Fulwood, with the Hesketh Bank player also taken for treatment.

After a scan, Mr Thornley was given the all-clear, but kept in for observation.

A statement on the club’s website said: “First team manager, Neil Crossley has been to see Mark in hospital and the good news is that Wolfie is much better, sitting up chatting and the lump on his head has started to go down.

“Hopefully he will be discharged on Monday. Thanks for all the good wishes.”