ETHAN MOORE accepts he faces a big battle to save his career as a fundraising drive was launched to help pay for an operation to repair his torn anterior cruciate ligament.
The Gloucester City striker has been on an emotional rollercoaster this summer. He played a starring role as his 29 goals helped Cinderford Town win the Southern League South & West, but in June the club decided against accepting promotion – a decision which they were ultimately made to reverse – but the team was already ripped apart.
He landed a chance in the National League North with the Tigers and was last month labelled as “way above our level” by impressed manager Tim Harris.
Moore’s pre-season went perfectly, but days before the season was due to start he picked up a training ground injury and was sent for a scan as a precaution.
The results came through on Wednesday and the prognosis was grim – an operation that will cost between £6,000 and £10,000 was required and he won’t play a league game until this time next year.
After consultation with specialists, it’s been discovered Moore requires a total reconstruction of the knee and a Crowdfunding page has been started to try and raise £2,000 towards the cost.
Harris says he is “unsure” if the PFA will contribute, despite his player being a former professional with Cheltenham Town.
Moore said: “It’s come like a bolt from the blue really – when you hear you’re out for the entire season before you have kicked a ball in a league game your heart just sinks. It’s very difficult finding the words for it.
“The operation is a great expense and the reality is that a fair bit of money will need to be found if I can have it done.
“Things were going so well; I had just come into the new season off the back of possibly my best one yet so this has hit me hard.”
Manager Harris has promised his stricken striker his full backing – a player who he tipped to take the division by storm this season.
Moore added: “Everyone has been fantastic, and their support has really helped keep my mind focused.
“I went down to training on Thursday to see everyone and it was difficult to watch knowing I would play no part this season.”
Harris said: “It isn’t likely that the club will get any help from the PFA, but we’re continuing to look into that.
“It’s not the news we wanted to hear, but we’ve got to get our heads around it quickly and ensure he gets the support he needs.
“We have already had pledges, which is fantastic, but the likelihood is we will need more help to get this operation.”
