Spice undergoes second operation

Sidley United’s captain underwent a second operation on what in simple terms is a broken ankle and was expected to remain in hospital for at least 24 hours.

Speaking on Wednesday morning, Sidley manager John Lambert said: “I believe it all went well. He was in a bit of pain - which you would expect after an operation - and he’ll possibly come out today or tomorrow.”

Spice sustained the injury in an FA Vase tie at home to AFC Uckfield way back on September 10 when he slid in with an opponent for a loose ball in the middle of the pitch, but unusually for him, came off worse.

St Leonards-based Spice was taken to hospital by ambulance and after a four-hour wait for an x-ray, underwent surgery the next day to press the break back together, bolt it and see if it holds.

He was in hospital for two days and then faced six weeks in plaster (partial weight bearing for a fortnight and full weight bearing for the next four weeks) before hopefully returning to work.

Unfortunately things haven’t gone according to plan. Unable to run properly and painful even to walk, Spice still hasn’t been able to return to work as he knows if he twists his ankle, it could break again higher up the leg.

A self-employed bricklayer, Spice receives no sick pay. His only income has been from the Sussex County FA Benevolent Fund, club insurance and a whip-round among his Sidley team-mates.

See tomorrow’s Hastings and Bexhill Observers for a special feature on Spice.