Ben Collett:Breaks leg, then breaks bank
A Manchester United Junior who was described by Alex Ferguson as an “outstanding” player, was today awarded over ?4.3 million in damages over a tackle that ended his career.
The money that midfielder Ben Collett will receive is set to increase when sums for his future loss of pension and interest on part loss of earnings are calculated,
At the recent hearing, Manchester United boss Sir Alex said that Collett had an “outstanding chance” of becoming a full-time professional if he’d have escaped injury.
Collett join Man Utd when he was nine-years-old, and was involved in the youth teams FA cup win in 2003. It all ended in tears though in his first game for the reserves in May 2003 when he had his right leg broken in two places by Middlesbrough FC’s Gary Smith.
Smith and his club accepted liability for the “negligent” tackle, so all that was left to do was decide how much insurance he could get from the team.
Mrs Justice Swift said she realised that were it not for the injury Collett would have been offered, in July 2003, a three-year professional contract with Manchester United.
Sir Alex told Manchester High Court during the earlier hearing: “I thought the boy showed fantastic focus, a great attitude to work hard and they are qualities to give any player an outstanding chance in the game.”
The court heard that Collett could have earned more than ?13,000 a week, making a total in excess of ?16million, if he had played until the age of 35.
United legend Paddy Crerand said the youngster was a [Ryan] Giggs type of player and could have gone on to become a household name.
