A BRADFORD football player, who was struck by a freak accident in 1988, became the first Bradford man to lead a Bradford club in an FA Cup final since 1911.

Richard Clarke, now 52 and semi-retired, started playing football at a young age with aspirations to become a professional football player and PE teacher.

At the age of 19, Richard’s ‘world fell apart’.

The, one in a million, freak injury left him with a broken leg, ruptured ligaments and more importantly a severed nerve in his foot.

The incident took place in Heckmondwike, but Richard was taken to Bradford Royal infirmary where he was told he would have to go undergo surgery.

“It’s not what anyone wants to hear.

“The surgeon was quite blunt, telling me I’ll never be able to walk without an aid ever again and any hopes I had of continuing to play football were over.

“The surgeon used the term one in a million, and there was a nurse there and she said to me, there’s one in a million chance that you can."

Richard was given a calliper, to aid his walking but after a while he switched to a more concealable version.

Before the accident, the footballer was also studying at Carnegie College in Leeds to become a PE teacher but after his injury this also seemed like a long shot.

“They told me they’d give me a year and if I didn’t recover or I couldn’t do it they’d transfer me to Geography.

“I didn’t want to do geography.

“I worked hard and trained harder than ever, and I became a professional PE teacher.

“I started playing football again, started out as a goalkeeper and kept going.”

Richard never thought he would have this much success after his injury but after joining Albion Sports he found himself leading his side in the FA Sunday Cup final.

“I had always dreamt of playing in the FA Cup and though it wasn’t the same one, we still got the same medal.

“It’s one of the best moments of my life.

“I tried hiding my injury for so many years but as I’ve grown older, I’ve realised that actually if my story inspires one person then that’s enough.

Richard had a successful career both on and off the field, becoming a deputy head teacher and working as a PE teacher in schools across Halifax.

His students think of him fondly, describing him as the best teacher, who inspired many and changed their lives.

The father of four, now watches his 21-year-old son play for the same team he led to the final.

“My story is one about never giving up and over coming limitations.

“I might not have been this successful had I not had this injury and I want to tell everyone after these past two years that we’ve had that that they can overcome any obstacle and limitation."