Fans of a young footballer who used to play for Radcliffe FC have raised more than £1,000 for him after a serious knee injury.

Callum Gribbin spent 11 years at Manchester United from 2008 before being released but he now lines up for non-league side FC United.

However, the 24-year-old is currently off with a severe knee injury that will keep him out of football for some time with fans worried he will not be able to ever fully recover.

Westhoughton fan Tim Browning decided to set up a GoFundMe crowdfunding page, which has now raised £1,790.

Bury Times:

Tim said: “Lots of the players in non-league football get paid on a week to week basis, so when they do not play, they do not paid.

“They put their health and safety on the line for the team and when you see someone get injured like that, you feel like you need to do something for them.

“He needed major surgery and then once he does he’ll need lots of physio and by the time he’s back, he’ll be doing boring things just to get moving, so he could be out for a year.”

Bury Times:

Following the 1-1 draw on Wednesday, January 28 against Warrington Town at the team’s home at Broadhurst Park, Callum was knocked down by another player and was immediately unable to get back up.

Tim said: “He’ll need a year out from doing what he loves and it’s really bad even for everyday life.

“It’s mentally very taxing as well and though there are people in worse situations, you feel for someone playing for your team.

“So, I felt like I wanted to do something to help.”

FC United was founded by fans including Tim and the team play twice a week.

With a goal of £2,000, the fans are already well on their way to providing for Callum.

The young player signed for Sheffield United for a year in 2019 then moved to Barrow in 2020.

In 2021, Callum joined Radcliffe FC before finally joining FC United.

Callum himself was blown away by the support.

He added: "The FC United fans have been great with me since I joined the club, and while I didn't expect anyone to do anything like this for me, it's nice to know that people care.”