Tom Carlse needs your support

Tom Carlse has been an Isthmian for most of his career, and a fine performer for a number of our clubs, including Ramsgate, Cray Wanderers, Lewes, Sittingbourne and Ashford United. More recently, however, he has been turning out for one of our former clubs, VCD Athletic, and suffered a life-threatening and career threatening injury. A crowdfunder has been set up to provide assistance, and it explains what happened:

Whilst playing in the FA Vase Quarter Final for VCD, Tom was elbowed in the throat during a tackle and suffered severe damage to his throat and airway. He was treated by physios on the pitch and an ambulance was called immediately because he was unable to talk or breathe normally. Once at Darent Valley Hospital, a CT scan revealed the true extent and severity of his injury. The force of the blow had fractured his larynx in multiple places and he needed emergency surgery.

The surgeons inserted a breathing tube, placed Tom in an induced coma, put him on a ventilator and moved him to Intensive Care. This surgery, performed by incredible surgeons, saved his life that night and we will be forever grateful to them.

Three weeks on and Tom still remains at Guys Hospital. He is working extremely hard on his recovery and will continue to do so over the coming months. His tracheostomy tube has been removed in the last few days and although his vocal cords were heavily compromised from the injury, he is now thankfully able to talk. Tom is still unable to eat or drink orally but is working on rehabbing muscles in his throat to correct this hopefully in the near future.

Tom runs his own business as a Sports Coach. He works across primary schools in Kent delivering PE Lessons, After School Clubs, Football Coaching Sessions and Half Term Holiday Camps.

In addition to the impact this has had on Tom’s health, this devastating injury has also put an inevitable financial strain on Tom and his family.

Tom’s road to recovery is still uncertain and it is not yet clear when Tom will be able to return to work. All of Tom’s current planned work has been put on hold and therefore, so has his income.

A crowdfunder has already raised nearly five thousand pounds, but more will be needed. If you can help, please head HERE and donate. 

We wish Tom a full and speedy recovery- and hope to see him back in the Isthmian League in the not too distant future.