Teammates raise cash for footballer after M27 crash

The teammates of a footballer seriously injured after he was hit by a car on a motorway's hard shoulder have started a fundraising appeal for him and his family.

Jordan Chiedozie, who plays for Southern League club Bashley, was hurt on the M27 between junctions 2 and 3 eastbound on Saturday at about 22:30 GMT.

Police said on Sunday that Chiedozie suffered "life-changing and potentially life-threatening injuries", and Bashley's players asked for donations to help the self-employed striker, who works in the building industry.

A 44-year-old woman from Wraysbury in Berkshire was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was later bailed until 1 May.

Chiedozie was returning home with the club's physio Reighan Taylor following Saturday's match against Tavistock in Devon when they pulled onto the hard shoulder after a tyre blew out.

"Shortly after, a car collided into the vehicle and also made contact with Jordan. Fortunately, Reighan didn't sustain any physical injuries from the crash, but is understandably extremely traumatised by the incident," the players said.

The pair are "both loved and very appreciated members of Bashley Football Club".

"Jordan is self-employed in the building industry who will obviously not be able to work for the foreseeable future, so any donations will go a long way to helping him during this difficult time," the players added.

"This will obviously be an incredibly distressing time for both [involved] as well as their friends, families and Bashley Football Club as a whole."

As of Thursday morning, the players' online fundraiser had raised over £14,000 for Chiedozie and his family.

Dave Lewis the club's manager said: "We are overwhelmed with sadness and shock with what's happened. We all feel completely helpless."

He said the donations had been "absolutely incredible. It shows such love and support for Jordon."

The team's game against Thatcham Town was called off on Tuesday.

The club said Willand Rovers had offered their full support if the team needed to call off their home game on Saturday.

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