Hospital bed for Gale on first anniversary (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Hospital bed for Gale on first anniversary

4:57pm Thursday 8th February 2007 in Football By Nick Mashiter

FORMER Devizes Town assistant manager Jamie Gale admits he has a lot of grovelling to do after spending his first wedding anniversary in casualty.

Gale, 33, from Victoria Road in Devizes, was playing for The Southgate Inn on Sunday when he fell and dislocated his shoulder.

He was due to spend the afternoon at Bath Spa with wife Katie, but instead she had to drive him to the Royal United Hospital.

"It was a bit bizarre, a real freak accident," he said. "I caught the foot of the defender and when I fell I felt it go pop. Everyone thought it wasn't a serious injury but I knew it was as serious as I had ever suffered.

"We'll be going to Bath Spa some other time, but I've got a lot of grovelling to do."

Gale, who can play in midfield or defence, will now have to wear a sling for the next two weeks and is under orders from doctors not to play for six weeks.

He said: "Hopefully if the boys get through the next round and to the final I might be able to make a comeback then.

"I'm just really disappointed because I was just getting some fitness and Shaun (Moffat, Devizes reserves boss) had given me the opportunity to play there.

"I was enjoying getting fit and helping the younger lads through but I will be on the sidelines on Saturdays."

Gale had been on the pitch for only 20 minutes as a first half replacement for David Lloyd before injury struck 15 minutes into the second half of Southgate's 4-2 Eric Hughes Memorial Cup quarter final win over FC Colerne.

Electrician Gale added: "I was seen within the hour. Luckily my pain scale was ten out of ten and it was quite a relief to get it put back in.

"It's a very strange feeling, it's numb and I have got restricted movement so I can't work.

"The lads were all very sympathetic, I don't think anyone failed to get in touch."