PS3 Glee for Paolo
5th September, 2009
The Derby Telegraph reports that a whip-round by Long Eaton United has brought a smile to the face of leg break victim, Paolo Piliero.
The striker has got an unexpected present of a PlayStation 3 following his injury in last Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup defeat by Loughborough Dynamo.
Piliero broke both his tibula and fibula in the game and underwent an operation to pin his leg later that day.
His team-mates and club officials were so upset for the 22-year-old, who lives in Long Eaton, that they decided to have a collection, with one of the opposition fans donating ?50.
Piliero said: "It was a complete surprise and has touched me. I didn't know what to say.
"I received ?400 from the club and sent my girlfriend, Vicky, out to buy me a PS3.
"A few of the lads are coming round to my mum's house in Trowell, where I'm staying because it is easier to get around, to play on the PS3 with me.
"My leg is in plaster all the way up to my thigh, so being at mum's house means that I'm being well looked after!"
Long Eaton manager Mark Harvey says that the gesture of his players and the club's supporters shows that football is not all about money and glamour.
"We're not a rich club but we're close knit and Paolo is very well thought of," said Harvey.
"The lads all decided to donate their wages, which isn't much, to Paolo and my wife did a collection, too.
"One of the Loughborough Dynamo supporters donated ?50, which is incredible and we rang him up afterwards to thank him.
"Paolo hardly missed a game for us last season and we're disappointed that he has suffered this terrible injury but it wasn't a particularly malicious challenge by the Loughborough player.
"Thankfully, there was no ligament damage and Paolo is hopeful of being back in action before the end of the year, fingers crossed."
(Story Source: Derby Telegraph)
Click here for Long Eaton United's team page.