Sad news via Sky Sports this afternoon as Sheffield United stalwart Chris Basham concedes that his career could well be over after the horrific injury he sustained at Craven Cottage last October.
The 35 year-old defender ruptured his ankle attempting a cross in the Blades’ defeat against Fulham, with the game stopped for more than seven minutes as he received medical attention on the pitch before being stretchered into an ambulance at the Hammersmith End. Basham, who has made 388 appearances in ten years at Bramall Lane, paid tribute to Tim Ream, who helped him through the immediate aftermath of the incident.
“Tim Ream was brilliant. He came over and grabbed my hand and said let the medics do their work and you’ll be fine. The way that both Fulham and Sheffield United have been with me has been outstanding and I can’t thank them enough.
Responding on Twitter, Sheffield United’s matchday master of ceremonies, revealed that recognition of Ream’s actions was ‘already planned’ ahead of Fulham’s trip to the Blades at the end of March and added that he felt the American veteran should be honoured with a sportsmanship award from the Premier League.
From were I was sitting ,in line with the incident at the Hammy End, Chris’s foot looked like it was 90 degrees from his leg. It was horrific, the worst I’ve witnessed close up. it saddens me to think that such an innocuous incident could have such career defining consequences. Good luck Chris with your rehab and life after football.
Isn’t it refreshing to see genuine sportsmanship in football. Not only from Tim Ream and the Fulham crowd but also from Chris Balham at what must be a very difficult time for him. I’m sure we all wish Chris a full recovery, even if the predictions are not too good. All involved should feel a sense of pride.
We were right by it in the JH. The sound was sickening. Poor fella. The only thing you can say is thank God it happened when he was 35 rather than 25. Good luck Chris