Clarke Carlisle fighting for life in hospital after being hit by a lorry on A64
Clarke Carlisle was airlifted to Leeds General infirmary with life threatening injuries after being hit by a lorry on Monday morning
The reason for the accident remains unclear
The former QPR defender went on to become chairman of the PFA
Former Premier League footballer Clarke Carlisle is fighting for his life after being hit by a lorry.
Carlisle, the former Leeds, Burnley and QPR defender who went on to be chairman of the PFA and also achieved acclaim for his appearance on TV’s Countdown, was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary with life threatening injuries.
The incident took place near Bishopthorpe in North Yorkshire at 7.30am on Monday, with the road closed to allow the air ambulance to arrive at the scene. The reason for the accident remains unclear, however a police spokeswoman said they were ‘pursuing all avenues’.
Carlisle, considered one of the most intelligent footballers of his generation with 10 Grade A GCSEs, made more than 500 appearances for nine clubs in a career that spanned 16 years and became the first player to appear on Countdown. In 2002 he was awarded the title ‘Britain’s Brainiest Footballer’ by BBC Sport. His last match was Northampton’s 3–0 defeat by Bradford in the 2013 League Two play-off Final at Wembley in 2013.
Since retiring from the game, he has been a regular pundit on ITV, working at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil and commentating on the Europa League. He is also a leading ambassador for anti-discrimination group Kick It Out.
He also released his autobiography ‘You don’t know me, but... A footballer’s life’, in which he wrote powerfully about a suicide attempt after suffering a career threatening injury in his playing days.
He wrote: ‘After gathering all the painkillers I could find, I went to the park and sat on a swing. I sat there a good 20 minutes, tablets in one hand, can of Carling in the other, wondering if anyone would miss me.’
Carlisle, who has a wife Gemma and three children, also presented a BBC documentary called ‘Football’s Suicide Secrets’ and has been open about his own battles with depression.
On Monday night, North Yorkshire Police would only confirm that a 35-year-old man was struck by a lorry on the A64 south of York.
Clarke Carlisle was airlifted to Leeds General infirmary with life threatening injuries after being hit by a lorry on Monday morning
The reason for the accident remains unclear
The former QPR defender went on to become chairman of the PFA
Former Premier League footballer Clarke Carlisle is fighting for his life after being hit by a lorry.
Carlisle, the former Leeds, Burnley and QPR defender who went on to be chairman of the PFA and also achieved acclaim for his appearance on TV’s Countdown, was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary with life threatening injuries.
The incident took place near Bishopthorpe in North Yorkshire at 7.30am on Monday, with the road closed to allow the air ambulance to arrive at the scene. The reason for the accident remains unclear, however a police spokeswoman said they were ‘pursuing all avenues’.
Carlisle, considered one of the most intelligent footballers of his generation with 10 Grade A GCSEs, made more than 500 appearances for nine clubs in a career that spanned 16 years and became the first player to appear on Countdown. In 2002 he was awarded the title ‘Britain’s Brainiest Footballer’ by BBC Sport. His last match was Northampton’s 3–0 defeat by Bradford in the 2013 League Two play-off Final at Wembley in 2013.
Since retiring from the game, he has been a regular pundit on ITV, working at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil and commentating on the Europa League. He is also a leading ambassador for anti-discrimination group Kick It Out.
He also released his autobiography ‘You don’t know me, but... A footballer’s life’, in which he wrote powerfully about a suicide attempt after suffering a career threatening injury in his playing days.
He wrote: ‘After gathering all the painkillers I could find, I went to the park and sat on a swing. I sat there a good 20 minutes, tablets in one hand, can of Carling in the other, wondering if anyone would miss me.’
Carlisle, who has a wife Gemma and three children, also presented a BBC documentary called ‘Football’s Suicide Secrets’ and has been open about his own battles with depression.
On Monday night, North Yorkshire Police would only confirm that a 35-year-old man was struck by a lorry on the A64 south of York.
CLARKE CARLISLE'S CAREER IN FOOTBALL
Professional debut aged 18 for Blackpool against Wrexham on September 2, 1997
Joined Queens Park Rangers for £250,000 on 25 May, 2000
Called up to England Under 21 side during the 2001-01 season
Won Second Division player of the month award in November 2003
Played integral role in QPR's 2003-04 promotion campaign to the Championship
Joined Leeds United on a two-year deal in June 2004 after his contract expired at west London side
Left the Yorkshire side after just one season, moving back to London to join Watford for £100,000
Played a big role as the Hornets gained promotion to the Premier League in May 2006 via the play-offs - beating his old side Leeds 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium
Featured in his first Premier League game for Watford on April 9, 2007 in a 4-2 win against Portsmouth
Named man of the match in FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United on April 14, 2007 - but that wasn't enough to stop his side comfortably losing 4-1
Following Watford's relegation at the end of that season he joined Burnley for £200,000
Won promotion to the Premier League again this time with the Clarets in May 2009
On November 17, 2010 Carlisle was named as the chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association replacing Chris Powell
Joined Preston North End on loan for the duration of 2011-12 season
Spent the remainder of the season at Northampton after his spell at Preston was cut short
Joined League Two outfit York City on August 30, 2012
Re-joined Northampton on loan until January 2013, before penning permanent deal
On May 23, 2013 Carlisle announced his retirement from professional football
ALSO...
Ambassador for Premier League and Kick It Out - which campaigns for inclusion and equality in football
Co-commentator for ITV Sport on Europa League and FA Cup games
Overall won three caps for England Under 21 side
Professional debut aged 18 for Blackpool against Wrexham on September 2, 1997
Joined Queens Park Rangers for £250,000 on 25 May, 2000
Called up to England Under 21 side during the 2001-01 season
Won Second Division player of the month award in November 2003
Played integral role in QPR's 2003-04 promotion campaign to the Championship
Joined Leeds United on a two-year deal in June 2004 after his contract expired at west London side
Left the Yorkshire side after just one season, moving back to London to join Watford for £100,000
Played a big role as the Hornets gained promotion to the Premier League in May 2006 via the play-offs - beating his old side Leeds 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium
Featured in his first Premier League game for Watford on April 9, 2007 in a 4-2 win against Portsmouth
Named man of the match in FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United on April 14, 2007 - but that wasn't enough to stop his side comfortably losing 4-1
Following Watford's relegation at the end of that season he joined Burnley for £200,000
Won promotion to the Premier League again this time with the Clarets in May 2009
On November 17, 2010 Carlisle was named as the chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association replacing Chris Powell
Joined Preston North End on loan for the duration of 2011-12 season
Spent the remainder of the season at Northampton after his spell at Preston was cut short
Joined League Two outfit York City on August 30, 2012
Re-joined Northampton on loan until January 2013, before penning permanent deal
On May 23, 2013 Carlisle announced his retirement from professional football
ALSO...
Ambassador for Premier League and Kick It Out - which campaigns for inclusion and equality in football
Co-commentator for ITV Sport on Europa League and FA Cup games
Overall won three caps for England Under 21 side
keep fighting Clarke!
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