JAMES Knowles finally made his 200th appearance for Park Avenue on Boxing Day and it was sweeter than ever when it finally arrived as it was two years to the day after he had suffered a potential career-ending injury.

Park Avenue boss Mark Bower, a fellow centre back in his own playing days, brought Knowles back from Farsley Cel,tic for a third spell at the Horsfall Stadium shortly after taking over.

Since then Knowles has been at the heart of a solid defence and even scored a winning goal – at Stockport County – as Park Avenue won six of their last ten games.

Knowles missed one of those victories and one defeat as they were in knockout competitions for which he was cup-tied after appearing for Farsley in earlier rounds.

That delayed his milestone but it meant that it fell exactly two years after he suffered a double fracture playing for rivals FC United of Manchester.

“It was funny how it landed because I couldn’t play in the cup games but when it did it was a proud moment – just a shame we didn’t win,” said Knowles following the 1-0 defeat at Salford City.

“Two years ago I remember being aware of what I’d done. I went into the challenge and as I spun around I could see the bottom half of my leg just dangling.

“The physio came racing up and I said ‘I’ve broken my leg, I know’ and he said yes but told me not to look down.”

The consequences of that came home to roost immediately, even while lying on the turf Knowles’ mind was racing. He was just glad that he was covered for the misfortune that he’d just encountered.

He said: “As a semi-pro footballer, not being able to work, walk properly or drive, it was going to be a nightmare. I was fortunate that I had taken out cover because if I hadn’t had personal insurance I’d have been in real financial difficulties.

“I sat on the pitch wondering if I’d ever play again, how it would affect my career, my life and my family.

“This Boxing Day at Salford was a totally different experience, one I never even dreamed of back then. But I’m back now and I’ve played 200 times for a great club like Bradford Park Avenue and hopefully there will be many more.”