9:40am Friday 30th July 2010
By Chris Flanagan
NEW signing Ray Putterill is determined to prove himself at Accrington after a terrible run of injuries wrecked his Liverpool dream and almost forced him to retire.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder was a highly-rated member of the England Schoolboys team and the Liverpool youth set-up but a long list of injuries hampered his progress and eventually led to his release by the Anfield club.
Putterill has agreed to sign a six-month deal at Stanley after impressing on trial this summer and looks likely to earn a starting place on the first day of the new season at home to Aldershot next Saturday.
“It’s been tough. I’ve had a lot of bad injuries, seven operations, but I’m ready to go again,” said Putterill.
“I’ve had a fractured spine, a hip reconstruction, cartilage in my knee, hernia operation, quite a few.
“I fractured my spine when I was playing for England Schoolboys, the under 15s, against Ireland.
“I jumped up for a header and my feet came from under me. Before I knew it my spine had gone from a knee in my back. I was very worried, it paralysed me for about 20 minutes.
“But after that I did six months of my scholarship at Liverpool and managed to get a pro deal.
“My ambition was to make it there but it’s tough at Liverpool, you’ve got to be exceptional.
“As a kid I did very well but as I got a bit older I just got injured a lot.
“Two years ago I was told I wouldn’t kick a ball again and I haven’t played for the last year.
“But I’ve got myself back fit and feel I’ve done well. I feel very confident in my game and feel I can do a lot for this club,” added the midfielder.
“It’s very important for me to be playing regularly. I need a lot of games to get back fit after the way I was.
“But I haven’t played a league game yet so I’m really looking forward to that.”
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