A TITLE-chasing Memorial Sunday League side have suffered a severe blow after losing three key players with broken legs in the space of two weeks - and two of them in one match!

De Lacy, who are currently fourth in Division One, lost its entire strike-force on Sunday when Shane Parker broke his ankle and Anthony Muster suffered a nasty leg break.

Muster's injury was so bad that he was detained in Blackburn Royal Infirmary until Tuesday.

And it follows the injury to central midfielder and inspirational captain Alan Truce who broke his ankle in a league match two weeks ago.

The accident prone Whalley club now fear that all three could be out of action for up to 12 months.

To make matters worse their title chances were dented in Sunday's match when they lost to lowly Judge Walmsley 1-0 at Wilsons playing fields - who picked up only their second win of the season.

Joint Manager Graeme Seedall, who himself has just returned from a lengthy lay off after snapping ligaments in his ankle, said that they now are struggling to put out a team this weekend.

He said: "It's a bit corny but we are literally down to the bare bones. I was talking to Craig Barnes, who runs the team with me, and we have only 12 players we can call upon. And that is before any of them cry off for one reason or another."

Seedall said that while everyone realised the extent of Muster's injury almost immediately, Parker actually walked off the pitch after breaking his ankle. He then went to hospital in Accrington where they told him the extent of the damage.

Seedall added: "We were in the pub after the game and I was on the phone to Blackburn Infirmary to see how bad Anthony was when next thing Shane walked in with his leg in plaster telling everyone he had broken his ankle.

"We had an outside chance of winning the championship but a realistic one of finishing as runners-up but that has disappeared now."

Harry Dewhurst, secretary of the Memorial League, said: "We get leg breaks from time to time but it is very unusual to get two in one match, especially from the same side. This was a keenly contested match but not a nasty one and both injuries were purely accidents. In fact, the manager of De Lacy contacted me after the match to tell me what had happened and said that the Judge Walmsley players were not at fault."

Seedall added: "We are now looking for new players to come and join us but looking at our recent record I wouldn't blame anyone if they wanted to keep well clear of us."

Anyone interested in joining the team should contact Graeme Seedall on 01200 443803.

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