Clemons Extends Thanks For ‘Amazing Gesture’
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Bermuda midfielder Willie Clemons will undergo knee surgery next month after his club Braintree Town helped to raise money to pay for the operation via a GoFundMe page.
Clemons suffered a serious injury playing for the English non-league side last season and faced a 14-month wait for a consultation with a doctor before Braintree launched the fundraising page last month.
The 28-year-old, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament [ACL], can now pay for private medical treatment and said he cannot wait to return to competitive action for the Essex outfit.
“Because of all of you, I’m able to get back doing what I love much, much earlier than anticipated,” Clemons said in a statement on Twitter yesterday.
“I’ll be making my return here at Braintree when the time finally comes, which I’m sure will be upon us in no time.”
Clemons, who had to quit his job as a printer because of the injury, added: “It goes without saying that this club will forever have a space in my heart, the people, my team-mates, and management.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here, and it sucks that it’s on hold for now, but I can’t wait to get back on the pitch, and that’s only possible because of you all.”
Clemons also thanked James Crysell, the Braintree match secretary, who set up the fundraising page on the player’s behalf, and everyone who donated to his cause.
“Whether it be a monetary donation, a share of the page, word of mouth, or even the many well-wishers, which I’ve received every game I attend and on every [social media] platform,” said Clemons, who was part of Bermuda’s squad at the Concacaf Gold Cup in 2019.
“I want to say a massive thank you to James Crysell, without whom none of this would be possible. A real class act to go out on a whim and get this whole thing off the ground.
“It’s not lost on me what an amazing gesture this is, especially at this level of football, and for a player who has only been at the club for one season.”
Clemons made 26 appearances for Braintree last term before his injury. He previously played for English non-league side Stowmarket Town and Swedish lower-league teams Bodens and Dalkurd.
Amazing all around. Congratulations to you all and thank you. Willie may you come back stronger knowing the power of people