CRAWLEY Down Gatwick’s leading midfielder Tom Burton has suffered a horrific broken leg and torn ankle ligaments wothin days of the start of the new football season.
The incident happened last week during their pre-season match with Conference South club Tonbridge Angels.
The game had to be adandoned after 50 minutes following the fellow-card tackle with former Crawley Town player Robbie Kember, son of Crystal Palace legend Steve Kember.
An ambulance had to come onto the field to collect him and he had surgery the following day, leaving him in a plaster for six weeks.
Manager John Maggs is gutted by the loss of the player who scored around 25 goals from midfield last season.
Maggs said: “He is a massive player for us and was Player of the Season last year - it’s a terrible loss.” Down cruised past Kent League club Ashford Utd 5-1 away on saturday with two goals each for Luke Blewden and new central signing Craig Richards.