Hundreds raised for injured Syrian footballer, 18

A club has raised hundreds of pounds to help a talented 18-year-old Syrian footballer who broke his leg in five places during a match.

Omer Ali was injured on Saturday while playing for Coventry United's U18 Midland Junior Premier League team in Staffordshire.

The player, who has no other family in the UK, had just scored an equaliser when he collided with the Eccleshall Juniors goalkeeper, club co-owner Nigel Ward said.

"He’s had a really tough life," Mr Ward added.

"We want to support him because he’s our footballer."

Mr Ward explained the player lives in a shared home in Coventry, where he is also studying at college, and has been in the UK for two years.

He is being treated at Royal Stoke University Hospital, where the club owner visited him at the weekend.

"He's in a hell of a lot of pain," Mr Ward said. "[But] they reckon he could play again, which is positive."

"He’s a very humble boy, he’s very quiet. We took him some new clothes up because he’s got very little."

An online fundraiser started by the club has gathered more than half of a £3,000 target so far.

Mr Ward said organisers would put the money toward things the footballer needed.

"Our priority is to ensure sure he’s comfortable, his room is a bit more acceptable," Mr Ward said. "He’s a genuinely lovely lad – it makes you want to help him more."

"He needs us to come together, sort his room, taxi fares, anything he needs for his leg."

The club hopes its support will help the talented youth, who only started playing for them a few weeks ago, to fulfil his potential.

"He’s very good – we want to see him go further," Mr Ward said. "Hopefully he'll get back on the pitch."

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