Gifted Duncan may have to retire

Rye United midfielder Duncan McArthur requires an operation on a long-standing back problem which could force him to hang up his boots.

Club chairman Clive Taylor said: “It doesn’t look good to be honest. He’s been advised in the last two years not to play, but he went and saw the specialist recently and they’re saying he’s got to have an operation.

“He’s got something wrong. Originally they thought it was his disc, but it’s something to do with his vertebrae. The operation should be within three months and we’ll have to see what happens when he recovers from that.”

As well as ruling him out of Rye’s last few matches, the problem has meant McArthur has been unable to work lately. The 30-year-old works alongside club captain Shaun Loft for ex-Rye player Luke Shand doing roof cladding.

“It’s just wear and tear I think,” continued Taylor. “He has spells where his back will seize altogether and he’ll struggle to get out of bed in the morning.

“He’s been having some sort of steroid injections, but they’ve not done the job. The joy of playing football is all that’s kept him going. It’s a real shame and there’s nothing you can say to console him.”

See this week’s Rye and Hastings Observers for the full article.