A cup-final referee has donated his match fee to a player who broke his arm during the match he was officiating.
Lordswood FC striker Tommy Davey was injured early on in the Southern Counties East Division 1 Cup final against eventual winners Tooting Bec on Saturday.
A GoFundMe appeal was set up for the player as he will be unable to work while he recovers from the arm fracture.
Referee Darren Kempson handed over £65 and wrote on X: “It was horrific to witness the injury. I have donated my match fee from the game and urge anyone to help towards the fund if they can. Get well soon Tommy.”
Lordswood’s chairman also added a significant sum and the club said: “Him and his family need all the support they can get during this tough time.”
Gary Cairns set up the appeal and wrote: “With a baby due soon and this unfortunate event putting the lad out of work would be nice for everyone to show a bit of support to the man who has been a great goal scorer for Lordswood this season.
“Any donations of any amount would be appreciated to help him through [the] next few weeks and months of recovery.”
Lordswood had looked set to win the cup final, leading 2-1, before conceding in the 90th minute. Tooting then went on to win on penalties.
Davey netted 16 league goals for Lordswood as they finished fourth in SCEFL Division 1, losing out Medway rivals Rochester United in the play-off semi-finals.
