Kelly Smith has revealed her fury after being on the receiving end of a tackle from the Sunderland Ladies defender Abby Holmes which she claims could have ended her career.
The Arsenal captain and assistant coach, who retired from international football in February as England’s record scorer, needed surgery on torn ankle ligaments following the incident in last month’s 4-1 win over Sunderland.
The 36-year-old, a nominee for the PFA’s player of the year award, wrote on her blog: “I hope to be fully fit in three to four months’ time … right now, though, all I can think about is the tackle that ended my season and could have ended my career. And, if I hadn’t retired from international football, it would have definitely ended my World Cup this summer.”
Calling the tackle “disgraceful”, she added: “Sure, she apologised as I got stretchered off and Sunderland subsequently apologised to Arsenal. That’s all well and good but she should be thinking more about how to tackle, not how to apologise. Those type of tackles end careers. Does she really want to end someone’s career?
“She’s clearly not good enough to be playing at this level and while she gets a three-match ban I, in effect, get a 15-game ban in the league as well as cup games.
“I am totally laid up, can barely move to make a coffee or have a shower and face the mental challenge yet again of recovering from a long-term injury. Twice before I have been the victim of a seriously bad challenge, once in America and once playing for England against France. Both resulted in broken legs and some serious mental repercussions.
“This time it’s a little different. I am not feeling sorry for myself. I know many, many people are in far worse situations in life than me. I have good people around me and I can assure you I will get through this … But I am absolutely furious and I can’t get that tackle out of my head.”
