That's such a shame. From the BBC Hull City midfielder Ryan Mason has been forced to retire at the age of 26 as a result of the fractured skull he suffered against Chelsea in 2017. Mason, who won one cap for England in 2015, had to have surgery after a clash of heads with defender Gary Cahill. His decision to retire follows "the guidance of numerous world-renowned neurologists and neuro surgeons". He started his career with Tottenham and joined Hull for a club record fee, believed to be about £13m, in 2016. After eight minutes of treatment on the pitch during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge in January 2017, Mason was given oxygen as he was carried off on a stretcher. He had surgery at St Mary's Hospital in London, where he stayed for a week afterwards, and has since spoken of feeling "lucky to be alive". Mason started training with the club again in May last year but no expected return date was ever given and then Tigers boss Leonid Slutsky said in August that "the question is not just about football but about his life" when the player went to see a third specialist. The Championship club said in a statement: "Ryan has sought the guidance of numerous world renowned neurologists and neuro surgeons, who have all advised that a return to competitive football is not advised. "Ryan would like to put on record his thanks to all at the Club who have aided his recovery to this point and he his is indebted to them for their support and compassion over the past 12 months." Good luck in your plans from here. Hopefully, the club can find him something to do whilst he makes plans?
Ryan's statement: "I have worked tirelessly in order to be able to return to the pitch. Unfortunately, having taken expert medical advice I now have no option but to retire due to the risks involved given the nature of my injury. "I am and always will be eternally grateful for the incredible network of people around me who have helped me to recover from what was a life-threatening injury in January 2017. "I am so proud to have come through the ranks to play for my club, the club I love. To have had the honour of captaining the team fills me with immense pride. Thank you to all of my teammates over the years, there are too many to mention, it's been a privilege to play alongside you all. "Finally, representing my country is an honour that nobody can ever take away from me and something that I am so proud to have achieved. "I'm retiring from the game with my head held high having done everything in my power over these past 13 months to have given myself every opportunity to return to the pitch."
@deedub93 has come up with a great idea that we should pester THFC to give Ryan a testimonial. If you want to add your voice to this https://i.tottenhamhotspur.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
Absolutely gutted for him. Loved watching him finally breakthrough and become an important player for us. He proved everyone wrong at a time where we thought he wouldn't make it after years of loans, injuries and being overlooked by managers. Was instrumental in our rise under Poch. Unless he opts for a career in punditry or something altogether away from football, I really hope the club bring him home in some sort of capacity. He'd be an incredible mentor/ coach for our academy players as he's evidence that hard work and persistence pays off. Nice little touch from Jesus Perez today:
Did mine earlier, perhaps anyone who is a member of any of the other Spurs sites, JA606 etc. could try and promote it.
All the best to Ryan....his health is a paramount...will always be a Yiddo...good luck son Filled out the I Form
That sad news puts a few things in perspective, don't you think? I wish him well for the future - he deserves to find another route to personal fulfilment. Always gave 100% - a young player for whom I had great respect.
A bit of Ryan's statement that Sky chose not to run.... I would like to thank everyone at Hull City, especially The Doc Mark Waller and all of the medical team for helping me to recover. Thank you to the Chairman and the board for being so patient with my recovery and sticking by me. There are too many names to mention when it comes to talking about Tottenham Hotspur but I would like to say a special thank you to John McDermott, the Gaffer and everybody at Spurs for helping me to achieve my dreams. I used to work with a Gooner from about 2006 - 2012. His son was in Arsenal's Academy at the time and he had a pretty bloody good knowledge of the young players about then. He was always extremely complimentary about Ryan and towards the end of our time working together, would ask "Why isn't it happening for him at Spurs? He's too good not to make it". He made it.
So sad to see this. Wishing Ryan all the best in what ever path he decides to take in the future. I’d like to echo the sentiments of others, in getting him back at the club working with youngsters in the academy. COYS
Terrible shame. It shows you how devastating head injuries can be and how important it is for officials to ensure that any players who receive blows to the head are treated without delay.
My two favourite Mason moments are probably the only goal in our first victory in the 15/16 season and the equaliser against Forest. That got us going in a campaign where we were really struggling to get off the mark and we never looked back. Dragged us back onto level terms with a wonder strike when it looked like we might crash out in the third round to Forest. Who does that? Went on to reach the final.
Real shame to see a talented player have to retire early. He was proper Spurs, could pick a pass and was always getting stuck in so he was exactly the kind of player I loved to watch. He's been on Sky doing analysis a few times since the collision so hopefully there's a TV career for him if he wants to go down that road. Whatever he does, he seems like a positive guy and he's got a lot of support around him so I'm sure he'll do well. All the best, Ryan
The saddest thing about that magnificent team goal against Sunderland was that in scoring it he picked up the injury that effectively ended his Spurs career. Sometimes you sit and think to yourself 'what if' and it sends a shiver down the spine.
I don't want to slag off Chelsea for Mason's injury, as it was an accident, but **** that twat for Pritchard's. Ludwig Augustinsson is now at Werder Bremen. Hope the dirty ****er gets relegated.
I really feel for the lad. So young and only just started his career. What an awful way for it to come to an end.
