Car crash victim hopes to become professional footballer (From Croydon Guardian)

Waddon teen will put car crash behind him to attempt pro football

6:20am Saturday 18th August 2012 in News By Nick Hitchens

A teenager who suffered a collapsed lung in a minibus crash 18 months ago is fighting to become a professional footballer.

Sam Radford spent nine days in intensive care after a freak accident in January last year as he returned home from a football match with Croydon Athletic youth team.

Despite suffering a collapsed lung, dislocated ribs and losing three units of blood the then 18-year-old was back playing cricket within three months, and re-joined Croydon Athletic FC in September, completing a full season with the club.

He said: "I feel like I’m 100 per cent. You never really know how these things are going to go, and of course I’ve got the scars – they will never go, but you just get on with it."

The right back, who is also a keen rugby and hockey player, is preparing to take a huge step and ihas signed up to Samsung’s Win A Pro Contract talent hunt in the hope of signing for League One clubs Swindon Town or Leyton Orient.

The 19-year-old said: "I have made a full recovery and am back to playing my best. The chance to win a pro contract would be amazing. It’s a lifetime dream and words cannot describe how much I want it."

As an Arsenal fan he has said either club would be a great opportunity, but knows he will have to be at his best to win the competition and a contract.

Amateur players of all abilities can enter the competition, and this year two winners will each earn a one-year professional contract – one at each club.

Hopefuls will be tested at regional trials and matches as they bid to kick-start their dreams of becoming a professional footballer.

He said: "You don’t know if you’ve got what it takes until you give it a try. I’ll give it my best shot and see what happens."