On 19 August 1975, Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney dislocated his jaw by shouting rather loudly at his defence.
United’s Alex Stepney on a happier day
Pulled a groin on a strenuous walk? Tweaked a thumb playing FIFA? We’ve all been there.
In honour of Stepney’s loudmouthed misfortune, we thought we’d take a look at five of the most bizarre footballing injuries.
Alan Wright
The journeyman defender played for 12 clubs over the course of a 22-year career in which he made over 600 appearances.
His career is most synonymous with Aston Villa where he plied his trade for eight seasons. However, it is one incident in particular for which Wright is most known.
Wright decided to purchase a new Ferrari. Sadly for him, the Ferrari wasn’t designed for men of his diminutive stature.
Measuring 5ft 4 in the early morning, Wright was in no danger of hitting his head when walking through doors.
He was also in no danger of using the accelerator without suffering an injury.
Wright suffered continual knee injuries as a result of his needing to stretch to use the pedal, and had to trade in the Ferrari for a Rover.
First-world problems, eh?
Adam Chapman
In 2012, 22-year-old Oxford United midfielder Adam Chapman played through the pain barrier to take part in his side’s 3-1 win over Wycombe.
His injury? A burnt nipple.
The young father was shaking his child’s baby milk, but an absent lid caused the scalding liquid to make its way on to Chapman’s chest.
Chapman in action for Newport County
Nothing a bit of ice can’t fix.
Leroy Lita
The 22-year-old Reading striker was ruled out for up to a month in August 2007.
He had damaged a leg muscle after a particularly vigorous stretch in bed as he woke up one morning.
His boss Steve Coppell at least saw both the funny side whilst also bemoaning the absence of his first-choice striker in comments made to BBC Sport.
He said: “It’s a point of laughter but a serious business for him because he’s going to be out for three or four weeks.
“It is not an injury that should be ridiculed or made light of.”
I’m sure Coppell could at least allow himself one smile.
David James
Experienced goalkeeper had his fair share of interesting injuries.
A keen fisherman, he once injured his shoulder trying to reel in a fish.
“Is there anything else on?”
It is however the back injury he suffered whilst reaching for the TV remote that gets most people chuckling.
People have always said that watching TV is bad for you, but I don’t think they meant like this.
Alan Mullery
Mullery missed the England tour of South America in 1964 when he injured his teeth brushing his back.
Wait, he injured his back while brushing his teeth. I don’t even know which one is more believable.
Mullery had a few brushes with injury
We can only hope Mullery didn’t brush after every meal, or he might never have made it out on to the field. If he did, he’d need to receive some sort of plaque.
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