Bashley FC players launch £20,000 fundraiser as team-mate Jordan Chiedozie, son of former Tottenham Hotspur footballer John Chiedozie, suffers life-changing injuries after crash on M27 near Ower
A £20,000 fundraiser has been launched by New Milton’s Bashley FC for a player left fighting for his life after he was hit on the hard shoulder of the M27.
Jordan Chiedozie – son of former Tottenham Hotspur footballer John Chiedozie – had stopped between junctions two (Ower) and three (Rownhams) of the M27 around 10.30pm on Saturday after a tyre blowout.
Jordan, who is now in a coma with what police call “life-changing and potentially life-threatening” injuries, had been travelling back from Saturday’s Southern League match at Tavistock with club physio Reighan Taylor when the crash involving a silver Mercedes SLK occurred.
It’s understood they were both stood outside the vehicle, a Volkswagen Golf, when it was struck from behind.
Members of the club, which said it was “devastated” by the news, have launched an online fundraiser to support Jordan, who is self-employed in the building industry.
The GoFundMe page states: “On Saturday, Bashley Football Club had an away game to Tavistock AFC. Unfortunately, the game didn’t go to plan, but what happened after the match was extremely traumatic for one of the players and one of the club’s physiotherapists, who are both loved and very appreciated members of Bashley Football Club.
“After getting the mini bus back to Ower, Reighan and Jordan got into the car together, as they were sharing lifts from the meet point. On their way back, they pulled over onto the hard shoulder due to a tyre blowout and got out to inspect what happened.
“Shortly after, a car collided into the vehicle and also made contact with Jordan. Fortunately, Reighan didn’t sustain any physical injuries from the crash, but is understandably extremely traumatised by the incident.”
The fundraiser adds: “As a result of the collision, Jordan suffered life-changing and potentially life-threatening injuries. Jordan was put into an induced coma in hospital and while receiving surgical treatment for his injuries.
“This will obviously be an incredibly distressing time for both of these people as well as their friends, families and Bashley Football Club as a whole.
“Jordan is self employed in the building industry [and] will obviously not be able to work for the foreseeable future, so any donations will go a long way to helping him during this difficult time.”
Speaking after the incident, Bashley FC team manager David Lewis confirmed a postponement of Tuesday’s scheduled home match against Thatcham Town had been granted by the Southern League.
He said: “Everyone at the club is completely stunned by what happened, and our thoughts at the moment are far more with Jordan and his family, and with Reighan, than they are with football.
“Jordan’s team-mates are understandingly in bits and I am certain would not want to play so soon after this terrible accident, and in such circumstances I would certainly not want to give a team-talk. Therefore we applied for Tuesday’s match to be postponed.
“We are in close touch with Jordon’s immediate family, and will do all that we can to support them at this awful time.”
Bashley FC chairman Steve Lewis added: “Our Bashley football family are heartbroken by this news and still trying to come to terms with the tragic events that occurred after our game on Saturday. We are all together in wishing Jordan and Reighan the deepest of love and well wishes.”
A statement from AFC Totton, which Jordan previously played for, said the club was “devastated” to learn of the “terrible injuries” he had sustained.
It added: “Jordan was a popular member of the squad during his short time with us and now, in light of these tragic events, all out thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, friends and colleagues.
“We will endeavour to do all that we can – both as a club and as members of the wider footballing and New Forest communities – to engage in and bolster any efforts that we can make to support Jordan and Bashley Football Club in their time of need.”
Officers arrested a 44-year-old woman from Wraysbury, in the borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, on suspicion of drink-driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. She was later bailed until 1st May.
Witnesses and those with useful dash cam footage are being urged to come forward as investigations into the collision continue.
A Hampshire force spokesperson said: “Do you recall seeing either vehicle at any point while you were travelling along the eastbound carriageway of the M27, towards junction three?”
The stretch of motorway was shut in both directions while crews dealt with the incident, with the westbound carriageway reopened just before 2am.
Although the eastbound carriageway partially reopened by 7.30am, one lane remained closed until shortly after 9am.
Anyone with information should contact officers online via hampshire.police.uk or call 101, quoting reference 44250048653.
Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously via crimestoppers-uk.org or on 0800 555 111.
So far, more than £14,500 has been raised. To donate visit www.gofundme.com/f/jordan-chiedozie-fundraiser
