Martin Allen says decision to allow Charlie Lee to play on against York after clash of heads was hardest of his career
A dazed Charlie Lee is checked over by
medical staff. Picture: Barry Goodwin
by Luke Cawdell
Gillingham manager Martin Allen admitted the injury to Charlie
Lee on Saturday left him with his toughest decision in
management.
The Gills boss had already used his three substitutes against
York when a clash of heads left midfielder Lee unsteady on his
feet.
Gillingham were a goal down at the time and were facing the
prospect of playing the last 25 minutes with just 10 men.
Lee was checked over on two separate occasions by the medical
staff as he was adamant he wanted to continue. In the end, he
finished the game.
Allen said: "It was probably the hardest decision I have had to
make on a footballing matter.
"The doctor said no, the player said yes. What do you do? The
buck stops with me. Imagine if something happened to him how awful
I would have felt.
"He looked at me and just said ‘I want to go on’ and that
typified the spirit, the unity and the camaraderie of the players
at this club.
"Yes, we do want to win the game of football but the health and
well-being of our footballers is far more important than a result
in a game of football."
Lee tweeted on Saturday night: "I’m fine everyone thank you feel
bit dizzy, but ok now."
28/01/13
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