A PROMISING young footballer is unlikely to walk again after a horror on-pitch accident.
Declan McDonald broke his neck in a horror fall during a match against EK Burgh on Saturday.
Taken to hospital paralysed from the waist down, the youngster has undergone 10-hour surgery.
He now begins a gruelling period of rehab and physio but Airdrie and Coatbridge Rovers coaches admit it's unlikely he'll be able to walk again.
More than 3,000 has already been raised for him on a GoFundMe page set up by friends and team-mates.
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And parents and coaches affiliated to rival clubs have been sharing their sympathy and best wishes with the youngster, who plays for the 2007 squad.
A message on the club's Facebook page said: "Was hoping we’d never need to put out a message like this but lots of people asking for updates and sending messages so with permission of the family, we feel it’s best to put a message here from them.
"As some of you may have heard Declan McDonald of our 2007 age group was badly injured in a fall at our match on Saturday and he was taken in an ambulance to the QEU Hospital.
"Declan has suffered a broken neck and has no sensation from the shoulders down since the incident.
"This morning he has been through a 10 hour surgery on his neck and now as you will understand it is a waiting game, the current prognosis is Declan is highly unlikely to ever be able to walk again, hopefully with rehab and physio he will regain some feeling / use of his arms and hands.
"We will post more information as it is available but the club asks if you can keep Declan in your thoughts and prayers over the coming weeks and months as he continues his rehabilitation.
"Thanks to everyone who has reached out so far from all the family, his coaches and his team mates who are rightly shattered by this situation."
A message on X, formerly Twitter, said thanks to Declan's team-mates and fellow parents of the team and opponents EK Burgh.
It read: "A message from the club on a serious accident that happened on 20/01/2024.
"As both Declan’s stepdad and the coach of the team I would like to thank the boys / parents of the team and everyone involved at EK Burgh for helping as best they could on the day."
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Parents and coaches affiliated with local clubs reached out after hearing the news.
Ardeer Thistle 2016s wrote in the comments: "Sending our best wishes to Declan, family & friends and pray for a full recovery"
Another message in the comments read: "To our Sporting Friends at AC Rovers. Our thoughts are with you All Declan is in our Thoughts and we hope he recovers from this Tragic Accident. From All at Shotts Bon Football Academy."
A third said: "Heartbreaking …thoughts are with Declan, his family and football family. Sending love and hopefully hear that he’s recovering well soon."
It was a sentiment echoed by too many to mention, with one comment read: "Our thoughts are with Declan & his family.
"Our thoughts also go out to his friends & teammates at AC Rovers, from all at Blantyre Soccer Academy."
*To view the GoFundMe, please visit: https://gf.me/v/c/9ks2/sgzkgb-declans-recovery
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