With Chelsea frontman Cole Palmer out with an Injury after stubbing his toe on a door at home, here are seven of the most bizarre Football injuries of all time.
1. David Beckham – The Stray Boot
A famous and not too concerning injury to start with. In February 2003, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, displeased with his side’s loss to Arsenal in the 5th round of the FA Cup and in a post-match confrontation with Beckham, the Scot kicked a stray boot which would end up hitting ‘Becks’ above the eye.
Not an injury that would keep him out of action, but one that would cause tension between the two at United, and lead to a summer move to Real Madrid for David Beckham.
2. James Beattie – ‘Speedboat incident’
Former Southampton and England striker was allegedly returning from a boat trip to the Isle of Wight when Beattie decided to use his boat for spins in the Solent.
The striker would then fall inside the boat, cracking open his ribs. Beattie would say later on the Saint’s YouTube channel that he had first lied about the cause of injury, saying it was only a fall. The striker would miss the start of the 2001-2002 season thanks to these antics in what can be the testy waters of Southampton.
3. Michael Stensgaard – Man vs Ironing Board
The Dane was brought into Liverpool and Anfield to replace long-time Kopite favourite Bruce Grobelaar as backup to David James. Stensgaard even had a chance of taking the number one shirt before a bizarre injury ruined his chances.
He would dislocate his shoulder whilst trying to pick up an ironing board at home, ending his pursuit of James’ position. The injury would lead to more problems with his shoulder and would never play a first-team game for Liverpool.
4. Rio Ferdinand – Too much gaming?
It’s not uncommon to see players now in the modern age hooked in their off-time playing video games. We’ve seen the likes of Kun Aguero showing his Call of Duty skills and many others trying their hands at the Fifa and FC games. But did you know this has led to injury.
Well, Rio Ferdinand did just that in 2005, when he injured a tendon in his left leg playing Pro Evolution Soccer and resting his feet on his coffee table. The defender would miss a game for Manchester United due to his home antics
5. Dave Beasant – Any Salad Cream?
Dave Beasant may be known by many as the Goalkeeper of the 1988 Wimbledon FA Cup triumph againts Liverpool, saving a John Alridge penalty to ensure his side won 1-0.
But the ‘Crazy Gang’ member would do something bizarre whilst at Chelsea in 1993. He would break his toe by dropping a bottle of Salad cream onto his foot, also tearing a tendon in the process. This would mark the end of his tenure at Stamford Bridge, being sold to Southampton that summer window.
6. Charlie George – Charlie Lost his Finger
You may have seen one of the first successful YouTube videos, ‘Charlie bit my finger’. But have you ever heard of Charlie, who lost part of his finger during his professional career?
This is exactly what happened to Former Arsenal Forward and one-cap-wonder for England, Charlie George, who, whilst on loan at Nottingham Forest from Southampton, cut off part of his finger with his Lawnmowing accident. Quite a way to remove part of your finger.
7. Darren Barnard – A man’s best friend
And finally, we have what might be the weirdest injury you’ve ever heard of to finish the list. Darren Barnard was a part of what may be Barnsley’s most memorable season in 1996 to 1997, the club’s only season as of yet in the Premier League. But missed five months that season due to torn knee ligaments.
This was after the midfielder and wing-back slipped on his own dog’s urine on his own kitchen floor, missing out on a majority of the season in what would’ve been a memorable season in the Premier League for Barnard.
