“It’s the worst thing I’ve seen in 30 years of football” – King’s Lynn Town manager’s shock at defender’s head injury

King's Lynn Town defender Matty Castellan is making 'excellent progress' after being knocked unconscious during the Linnets' League Cup tie at St Ives.

The 21-year-old was taken to Hinchingbrooke hospital and monitored throughout the night after a second-half collision, which manager Gary Setchell described as the worst he has seen in 30 years.

The Linnets chief praised the club's medical staff for the care given to Castellan as the game was held up for more than half an hour.

But after a 'tricky' night Castellan was said to be making good progress yesterday after speaking to the player's family.

Setchell said: 'Really pleased to have just talked with Matty Castellan's family and after a tricky night he is making excellent progress.'

Lynn went out on penalties against St Ives but the result was very much secondary in everyone's thoughts after the match.

Setchell added: 'It's the worst thing I've seen in 30 years of football. I was 50 yards away, but from where I was the ball bounced up and both players went for a header. Their lad has caught Matty under the chin and there was a horrible noise. I think he was knocked out even before he hit the ground.

'Both Dan (Quigley) and Sam (Gaughran) could see that he was in trouble and were within seconds that he needed help.'

At one point it looked as though the game would be abandoned but after a lengthy stoppage he was taken to hospital by ambulance and the clubs decided to play out the rest of the game.

Setchell added: 'The referee checked with both sets of players and to be fair St Ives left it with us whether we wanted to continue. As a group we made the decision to continue but as soon as we left the pitch our primary concern was Matty.'