Archie Leckie ACL reconstruction surgery funds

The Staff and first team of Ely Rangers AFC are looking to raise money to help towards Archie Leckie’s ACL reconstruction surgery (Archie, White polo shirt in image)

Here is the story….

During Ely Rangers 23/24 season they were flying towards the top of the South Wales Alliance Championship Title and on an impressive WJ Owen Cup run. During this time the whole team were equally important to this success. However, one shining light in the team continued to impress with his performances on the pitch and his cheeky, living life, silly style of personality off the pitch. Archie had stepped into the Ely Ranger first team at just 17 years old and was playing men’s football week in, week out and it didn’t phase him one bit. At times, fully grown men were scared to go near him on the pitch with his aggressive high pressing attitude leaving no corner of the pitch left untouched. Archie managed to secure the goal for Ely Rangers at Vale United to ensure Ely would be South Wales Alliance Championship winners for that season. Two weeks later was when Archie’s nightmare started. During the WJ Owen Cup Final against Cwmaman after being 1-0 inside 27 minutes, the horror struck. Right in front of the dug outs in the 33rd minute Archie came charging for the ball and made the initial tackle, as he planted his foot to turn away, his knee buckled and he went to ground under the screams no 18 year old footballer should make. Archie limped off the pitch and had to watch from the sidelines in tears as his team went on to win the WJ Owen Cup final.

Archie spent the next few months in a knee brace awaiting appointment. Many visits to the physio were positive and he looked likely for a December return to the pitch as his infection smile would appear at the home of Ely every week to cheer his teammates on. Archie waited until August for his scan and finally got the news everyone had dreaded last week. Despite the recovery and the Physio’s words of a December return, Archie had ruptured his ACL in half and will need surgery before he can play again. The waiting list for surgery is 1 year MINIMUM alongside 1 year recovery. Archie sustained this injury when he was 18 and despite turning 19 in the summer, it’s very liking he won’t see a football match before the age of 21. That’s no pathway for a young, promising, talented player.

That’s where Ely Rangers first team step in! We’re looking to raise £5000 for Archie to help get him towards private healthcare for his ACL surgery so he can be back on that pitch a long time before he is 21 years old. If you don’t know Archie, he is an incredible young man with a heart of gold who is loved so deeply by his family, and his teammates. Despite being out this season so far, that hasn’t stopped Archie remaining around the team and being himself with the boys. If you can support Archie, even just a little bit on his journey back to football, we’d really appreciate it. When you look through the donors I’m sure you’ll be able to spot some of Archie teammates in there as well. That’s how much he means to these people. Life is cruel, and it’s not fair this young man may have to be out for 3 years with injury when we could change that if we all gave a little something.

Thanks all,

Ely Rangers AFC Staff and Players.