Bradford City striker Gordon Watson has been awarded £909,143 for loss of earnings following a tackle that broke his leg.

Mr Justice Taylor said he had much sympathy with the 28-year-old.

Summing up a High Court action, the judge said: "A fit Gordon Watson and a successful goal-scoring Gordon Watson would have moved back to the Premiership very quickly."

He had no doubt that had he not suffered the injury, he would have moved from Bradford City within 12 months of the fateful game and would be earning £350,000 a year with a Premiership team.

According to Watson's solicitors, Hammond Suddards, the payout will make him the second player in football history to prove negligence against another player, and liability against that player's club.

In a three-day hearing at Newcastle, Watson sought damages against Huddersfield Town FC and defender Kevin Gray following a Division One game in 1997.

The player won his claim for negligence against the Yorkshire club and Mr Gray last year, and was awarded interim damages of £50,000.

The judge said that in making his calculations he was taking into account Mr Watson's previous career at Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton, both Premier League clubs.

Outside court the footballer said: "I would like to thank Bradford City for their support. The club have been tremendous.

"I am just glad it is all over and I can get back to playing football.

"At the end of the day I go to work. If you get injured at work things like this have to be taken into account and this is what this judgement is about today."

Bradford City chairman Geoffrey Richmond said: "The payment 100 per cent vindicates the action that Bradford City and Gordon Watson took following the incident. It recognises the pain and suffering that Gordon has been through and also the damage it has done to his future earnings.

"This payment flashes a warning to any player inclined to go way beyond what any professional player should do on the football pitch."

Alan Sykes, Huddersfield Town club secretary, said: "We are not making any comment other than to say we are glad the case is finished and we genuinely wish Gordon Watson all the best for the future."

Asked about the financial implications for the club, he said: "People are making assumptions that it's dealt with by insurance companies, but we don't wish to comment. We have already informed our shareholders what we think the implications will be."

David Pendleton, editor of the fanzine for City supporters, said Watson had a great deal of sympathy from fans: "It has been a long haul for him - this is a great result. Good luck to him. He deserves it."

Michael Scott, of Huddersfield Town Supporters' Club, said: "I still honestly believe Kevin Gray was going for the ball and it was an accident."

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