Former Northampton Ladies and GB Deaflympian Claire Stancliffe revealed how time is fast running out to raise £7000 for private treatment after suffering a near-career-ending knee injury – in an exclusive interview with Daily Cannon.
The injury occurred during the 2017 Deaflympics for GB. Do you remember what happened?
“I remember tracking back and the goalkeeper indicated she would clear the ball.
“As the Brazil forward was getting closer, I tried to shield the ball. My right leg was straight and she clipped my left leg causing me to lose my balance.
“As my foot was stuck in the ground, my knee caved inwards then out. I just felt a massive rip on the inside of my knee and the pain was horrendous.”
As things stand, how limited has your movement been?
“It’s not been great. Very slow progress. Initially the injury was played down.
“So many professionals were telling me I need to walk properly, straighten the leg etc but the pain was just too much. Now we have my results, we know why.
“I was on crutches for around 6 weeks. I can walk short distances now but any long distances I need support. My knee swells up and I lose a lot of movement.”
Your blog is quite remarkable. How has the reaction been from the public?
“The support has been incredible. I initially tweeted to tell everyone the diagnosis and what the future holds.
“So many people contacted me saying I should set up a page as they wanted to help. I didn’t feel comfortable with it but they felt I deserved some support myself after everything I had done.
“In the past 18 months I voluntarily lead the fundraising for GB Deaf Football and we’ve reached over £130,000.”
When did your love for the game manifest? How did you get started?
“I’ve always played football in the park from a very young age, around four years old. I played for my primary schools (boys team) and then I only joined a local team when I was 15.
https://twitter.com/clairels1989/status/917871408017018880
“I got spotted at a Deaf tournament when I was 18. The England manager came up, took my details and it went from there.”
You’re a self-funded athlete, do you marry football with a primary job as your main source of income?
“Outside of GB, I am a senior sports coach. My role is to go into primary schools and teach their PE lessons.
“So at the moment I cannot work due to the seriousness of the injury.”
You were a Northampton Ladies player as of 2016. Do you remain on the books with them or another side?
“At the time of the Deaflympics 2017, I was a Northampton Ladies player.
“When I got back, I had no contact from anyone at the club which I felt really disappointed with.
“In the end, I decided to part ways and join up with my old manager. But, of course, I won’t be playing this season.”
How tough has it been not playing football and being told your career hangs in the balance?
“It’s been mentally tough. I can’t get my head around not being able to play again. I’m not a mentally strong person in general anyway so this is a huge hit for me in more than one way.
“Playing football is my way of coping with being deaf in a hearing world. It’s draining and just being able to train and play matches allows me to release my stress and worries.
“Now I can’t do that, it’s hard. Really hard, and I’m not sure how I’ll manage a whole year of recovery with the unknown element at the end.”
And finally, how can we donate to fund your private treatment?
My Crowdfunding page is: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/claire-stancliffe
And anyone who wishes to follow Claire’s incredible story can do so on her personal blog: www.clairestancliffe.wordpress.com
We wish Claire all the best moving forward and hope she can hit her total of £7000 for private treatment.
At the time of writing, she’s hit £2308, so there’s still plenty of work to do before November.
You can follow her on Twitter: @clairels1989