Footballers hurt in hit-and-run 'in good spirits'
Footballers hurt in hit-and-run 'in good spirits'
Sonia Kataria - Leicester; Russell Hobbs - BBC Radio LeicesterWed, October 14, 2026 at 5:11 AM UTC
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Police were called to Vaughan Way on 26 SeptemberLutterworth Town FC says the incident was "devastating" but the players are "grateful to be here".
Four footballers who were injured in a hit-and-run in Leicester city centre are "very grateful to be here with us".
The men, who play for non-league Lutterworth Town FC Reserves, were struck by a vehicle in Vaughan Way shortly after 22:00 BST on 26 September, with two suffering serious injuries.
Josh Dixon, a member of the club's committee, told the BBC they were "in good spirits considering what happened" and everyone at the club had been "rallying around each other".
Leicestershire Police said a 38-year-old man arrested at the time remains on bail while investigations continue.
The force had said three of the men, who had been crossing the road at the time, were taken to hospital, where two of them underwent treatment for "serious injuries". A fourth man got up and walked away.
Detectives added the crash was "treated as an isolated incident".
The arrested man was detained on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while over the prescribed limit for alcohol, and causing grievous bodily harm.
'Strong friendships'
Dixon said the crash happened during a celebratory evening out after a string of consecutive wins for the reserves side, who play in Division Two of the Leicestershire Senior League.
"It was a night after some successful results," he added. "It was a night to say bye to one of the lads that's going travelling in New Zealand.
"Then to receive that phone call, it was just devastating. The sheer panic and worry."
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He said the players injured had now been discharged from hospital.
"Broken bones, lots of cuts, but recovering OK," he said.
"One of the lads has a broken pelvis, so he's struggling obviously with mobility at this point, but he's in good spirits at home now and being looked after by family and friends.
"They're all obviously very grateful to actually still be here with us and we are as well."
Dixon said everyone at the club had been "sending them a lot of love and best wishes".
"Everyone's been absolutely amazing, as they always are with this football club. Everyone [has] stuck together and looked after each other."
Alex Smythe, assistant manager of the reserves team, added although the squad had only played together for just over a season, they had built "strong friendships".
"This incident has decimated the team but we've all pulled together to support the injured players, their families and other members of the team," he said.
"They are an incredible squad."
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Related internet links
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Lutterworth Town FC
Leicestershire Police
Source: “AOL Sports”
