Chatham Town skipper Matt Solly faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines to start 2015 as it was confirmed late on New Year’s Day that the injury that he sustained in the Ryman North game at Thurrock was a broken leg.

The 26-year-old was seriously hurt just over half an hour into the Ryman North clash at Ship Lane with the scoreline at 0-0. The fixture was officially abandoned by the referee around three quarters of an hour when he was ferried by ambulance to Dartford’s Darent Valley Hospital rather than an Essex hospital so that he would be closer to his Medway home.

The midfielder – the Chats longest serving player, and whose brother Chris plays for Charlton Athletic, was last season’s players’ and supporters’ Player of the Year at the Kent club, was treated on the pitch by the medics from both clubs before the ambulance crew took over.

As the club awaited news of their skipper, secretary Henry Longhurst thanked their hosts for coming to his aid.

Speaking to KSN on Friday morning, he said: “Neither side wanted to play on; it’s devastated the team – Matt’s been one of our stalwarts.”

“The referee instantly showed a red card for the tackle and it was only then that everyone else began to realise that Matt was in a bad way!”

“I just hope that this doesn’t upset the boys too much as we were just beginning to find a little bit of form. That said of course with the next match against Aveley just tomorrow (Saturday), it might start them again onto a decent run.”

“It goes without saying that everybody wishes Matt a speedy recovery. It was definitely a break and all the players were upset and concerned. Thurrock did really well and our club really appreciates their aid and concern for him.”

Ironically at the same venue last season (but playing Thurrock’s tenants Romford) a Chats defender was rushed to hospital and had to have his spleen removed… With tongue in cheek, the Chats secretary finished by saying, “after our last two trips to Ship Lane, I wonder if our players will start taking out personal injury insurance the next time we go!”

Everyone at KSN sends our very best wishes to Matt for a speedy recovery – and to see how his team mates respond, join us on Saturday, when the Chats Ryman One North game against Aveley, will be one of the games KSN will be covering.

Picture supplied by Chatham Town.