Man United trainee awarded record £4.5 million over injury

Man United trainee Ben Collett awarded record £4.5 million over injury
August 11, 2008 - Times Online, UK

A former Manchester United trainee whose promising career was ended by a bone-crunching tackle won more than £4.3 million in damages at the High Court today — a record payout in a sporting compensation case.

Ben Collett joined United at the age of nine and was considered one of the team's brightest young talents. But in May 2003, when he was making his first appearance in the reserves at the age of 18, his right leg was broken in two places in a tackle by Middlesbrough's Gary Smith.

After lengthy physiotherapy and rehabilitation, Collett tried to resurrect his career in New Zealand and the Netherlands but was forced into an early retirement. He is expected to take up a place at Leeds University to read English this year.

Middlesbrough FC and Smith both admitted liability through their insurers for the "negligent" tackle, meaning that the High Court case was simply to settle the level of damages.

More: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article4504210.ece

how many careers are finished before they ever get started? Sad case, especially the result of a bad tackle.