Former Claret Steven Hewitt, now of Nantwich Town has ruptured his ACL, necessitating knee reconstruction surgery estimated at £9,540.

The injury significantly impacts his ability to work and as a self-employed individual, he faces at least 14 weeks of recovery, during which he will be unable to earn an income.

He has a date for surgery but has opened a gofundme to get help support his family with household bills and so on

https://gofund.me/0f5c0407

Sounds harsh but there are other ways for him to make money. Delivery driver etc.

Pearcey wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2024 9:17 am

Sounds harsh but there are other ways for him to make money. Delivery driver etc.

How do you expect him to drive a delivery van whilst recovering from an ACL op?

claptrappers_union wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2024 8:55 am

Former Claret Steven Hewitt, now of Nantwich Town has ruptured his ACL, necessitating knee reconstruction surgery estimated at £9,540.

The injury significantly impacts his ability to work and as a self-employed individual, he faces at least 14 weeks of recovery, during which he will be unable to earn an income.

He has a date for surgery but has opened a gofundme to get help support his family with household bills and so on

https://gofund.me/0f5c0407

Steven will be able to get this operation funded through the pfa. I would suggest he contacts them to enquire. Every player who has played professionally and been a pfa member is entitled to monies for medical or educational needs.

Pearcey wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2024 9:17 am

Sounds harsh but there are other ways for him to make money. Delivery driver etc.

I'm not sure being a delivery driver would be advisable with his injury

I thought he would have private medical cover through his club. Just seen what Blondeclaret has written, hopefully he can get the operation he needs through them.

From what I understand from my cousin, an ex pro footballer, is that the PFA take care of these situations. They did with him. they paid for a knee op and recovery costs.

Blondeclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2024 9:25 am

Steven will be able to get this operation funded through the pfa. I would suggest he contacts them to enquire. Every player who has played professionally and been a pfa member is entitled to monies for medical or educational needs.

This

Would the PFA fund the “after costs” though?

This is what I’m reading that he is wanting to raise funds for, not the actual op.

Blondeclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2024 9:25 am

Steven will be able to get this operation funded through the pfa. I would suggest he contacts them to enquire. Every player who has played professionally and been a pfa member is entitled to monies for medical or educational needs.

I think, reading a previous announcement from Steven, that the PFA make contributions that cover just over half the cost of the operation…. He’s crowdfunding for the remaining amount.

wilks_bfc wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2024 9:25 am

How do you expect him to drive a delivery van whilst recovering from an ACL op?

I’ve done both ACL’s and was back driving within a couple of weeks.

taio wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2024 9:26 am

I'm not sure being a delivery driver would be advisable with his injury

I fixed trains with mine.

My point is, how many non-league players suffer career ending injuries and ask for handouts rather than pursue a different career path? How many plumbers, electricians etc ask for handouts when they get ill? You’d do anything within your power to ensure your family is provided for. Best of luck to him.

Might sound a bit harsh this but... Sorry Stephen but this is the life of a non-pro athlete.

No one is asking you to keep playing as a semi-pro, loads of people have to give it up.

What we really need is a Gov / policies that won't resort in shite like gofundme's becoming an accepted norm of fundraising for when people fall on harder times here, like it is in the United States.

Why do we need a government policy for something that's optional to engage with?

If you want to donate, do it. If you don't, then don't. Surely you don't need a government policy to make that decision?

dandeclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2024 10:47 am

Why do we need a government policy for something that's optional to engage with?

If you want to donate, do it. If you don't, then don't. Surely you don't need a government policy to make that decision?

Your retort is completely missing my point.

It's not whether donating is optional (which it clearly is), it's more about re-inforcing the need of systemic solutions so that anyone left in a vulnerable position isn't reliant on ad hoc donations and also to not normalise and accept GoFundMe and similar organisations as a legitimate substitute for aid.

This sort of stuff has started to creep in to life in Britain and is a sign of the political climate.

Pfa only cover a fraction of operations or treatment .

do the NHS not do ACL reconstruction?

GetIntoEm wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2024 11:02 am

do the NHS not do ACL reconstruction?

yes, but from my experience the 2 year waiting list (going back 15 years too, so probably worse now) allowed my ruptured ACL to heal itself over about 8 months, which wasn't ideal as it still gives me problems these days when I turn my knee on occasion.

My mate fits carpets etc, he is self employed, his knees are knackered he is on the NHS waiting list, and I can't really see why one should get preferential treatment, both occupational hazards.

bfcjg wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2024 11:11 am

My mate fits carpets etc, he is self employed, his knees are knackered he is on the NHS waiting list, and I can't really see why one should get preferential treatment, both occupational hazards.

I suppose in this instance I cant think of any really good world class carpet fitters who earn £200k/week fitting carpets that pay into a fund for other lower paid carpet fitters to draw upon when injured

But I get the sentiment too

https://www.thepfa.com/about-us/your-membership
Not bad for £150 a year

Hewitt will be feeling a right muppet for starting the fundraiser without seeking the medical and professional advice of this messageboard.

i dont think its a criticism of the man himself, its a commentary on society these days.

i see gofundme's for all sorts of stuff, every day of the week.

daveisaclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2024 1:46 pm

Hewitt will be feeling a right muppet for starting the fundraiser without seeking the medical and professional advice of this messageboard.

What’s your advice then? Sit on your behind begging for money for a knee op so you can start earning a pittance again in a years time or get up and do something else to earn money?

Should have insurance

If I did my ACL playing 5 aside I wouldn't expect people to cover my wages if I was then unable to work. It'd be live off the sick pay or get a job I could do while I recovered.

Rick_Muller wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2024 11:05 am

yes, but from my experience the 2 year waiting list (going back 15 years too, so probably worse now) allowed my ruptured ACL to heal itself over about 8 months, which wasn't ideal as it still gives me problems these days when I turn my knee on occasion.

Ditto

I could do with 2 knees one hip and a hernia, if anyone's got any spare cash let me know.

daveisaclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2024 1:46 pm

Hewitt will be feeling a right muppet for starting the fundraiser without seeking the medical and professional advice of this messageboard.

daveisaclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2024 1:46 pm

Hewitt will be feeling a right muppet for starting the fundraiser without seeking the medical and professional advice of this messageboard.

Just because the advice comes from this messageboard, doesn’t mean it isn’t professional. We have plenty of professionals on here who are here because they support BFC.

The trouble is figuring out who the professionals are….

It really is the definition of a charity case,

Sympathise, but I’m not a fan of people getting the begging bowl out asking for money, apart from in very rare cases (subpostmaster’s legal costs etc).

blatherwickstattoos wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2024 11:02 am

Pfa only cover a fraction of operations or treatment .

I believe there’s a pot of approximately £12k as my relative was told would be available to him. You have to send all the info into the pfa for them to access. The money can be used for consultations, x-rays, operations and after care. My relative was offered an operation within 6weeks on the NHS so didn’t claim of the pfa but the money remains if needed again,

boatshed bill wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2024 6:16 pm

I could do with 2 knees one hip and a hernia, if anyone's got any spare cash let me know.

Start a gofundme, and tap into your community and friendship groups, seems to be the way