The referee from a charity match including a host of Lincoln City legends is recovering from an Achilles injury.
The game helped raise £3050 for the British Heart Foundation when it was hosted by Lincoln United on the 1st March. The match finished 2-2 with the legends winning on penalties but the referee was forced off with a ruptured Achilles.
The referee for the game, Andy Pearson, spoke about his pride after helping raise money for the BHF: “I’m very proud, it’s a cause close to my own heart as I lost my Dad to a heart attack 30 years ago and it’s like me putting a small part of my own time back for him.”
The event is named the Peter Burr memorial cup after event organiser Gary Burr’s father who passed away from a heart attack 2 years ago.
He added: “For the event to have been so popular and raise so much money is testament to the hard work Gary and everyone who supported it has done.”
Referee, Andy Pearson was forced off the field early when he suffered a ruptured Achilles injury.
He spoke about his surprise with picking up the injury: “The injury shocked me to be fair, I like to think I am fairly fit for my age. I did my normal one match warm up of a light jog and some stretching, I felt good.”
He also said he thought it was an Achilles injury as soon as it happened: “I can remember it so clearly, I was jogging near the half way line and heard a snap and it felt like I had a heavy blow to my lower calf.”
“Instantly I knew I had sadly ruptured my Achilles, it was the classic warning symptoms.”
“As for recovery it will be a slow process, it’s almost as bad as a sporting injury gets.”
Over 500 people attended the game to support the event.
Former Lincoln City footballer Mark Hone played in the match and he spoke about the event: “The game and evening is for a great cause and it will also help raise awareness.”
Despite the injury, Andy Pearson has still been able to watch his beloved Lincoln City.
“My wife has been superb, circle of friends have stepped up with lifts and thanks to my two lads and a wheelchair I can still get to see Lincoln hopefully clinch promotion.”