STRICKEN Billericay Town midfielder Craig Edwards is grateful for how the club has rallied around him after his career-ending injury.
Edwards, 30, was forced to call time on his time as a footballer last month after dislocating his knee and rupturing his patella tendon in the 6-1 defeat to Dorchester last month.
And the self-employed plumber is also facing at least six months of being unable to work as the injury affects his personal life.
With that in mind, the club – who are managed by Edwards' father, also called Craig – are holding a benefit night for the former Southend United and Chelmsford City player this weekend.
The event takes place in the clubhouse at New Lodge after Saturday's home game against Hayes & Yeading and will feature a disco, karaoke, buffet and a raffle.
Edwards jnr said: "It is touching.
"On a personal level, I find it a bit embarrassing to be honest.
"Without being rude, I'm not like that, I'd rather keep myself to myself.
"That's not to say that I don't appreciate it because it really means a lot.
"It has had an effect on my life. The obvious thing is work.
"I'm a self-employed plumbing and heating engineer, which is probably the worst job you can have with an injury like this because you're on your knees a lot of the time.
"I don't want to make a sob story of it, but we've just had a little baby and my wife's on maternity leave so it wasn't the best time to do it."
Edwards suffered the injury after an aerial challenge in the clash at the Avenue Stadium, and he admitted he knew straight away it was a serious injury – but he is making good progress in his recovery.
"It's still a bit sore," he said. "It's improving, but it's frustrating. I can't do much, I can't work.
"I have had a few injuries in my past but I've normally tried to get straight up and at least walk off the pitch – if I can carry on I will.
"As soon as it happened though, I heard a snap, and when I looked down and saw my kneecap was halfway up my leg, I thought there was no point in trying to walk.
"I had surgery a couple of weeks ago. Fingers crossed it's gone well.
"I went back to see the surgeon and he's fairly happy. He's told me to be patient with it, that it's not going to happen overnight.
"He said if I can get a 90 degree bend in six months he'll be over the moon, and I hope it can be better than that, because if you haven't got a 90 degree bend you can't drive. It's not just about work, it's about being able to get around."
Edwards seems in good spirits after his devastating injury, and although he admits it is tough at times, he is trying to remain positive.
"You get the days where it is a bit depressing," he said. "Especially on a Saturday where I'm used to going to a game and being active, and I'm stuck indoors.
"Getting home was a big thing and what the consultant has said was a boost."
On the pitch, Edwards' dad is trying to mastermind an escape from relegation – and the now former player believes the Blues will stay up.
"I'm more than confident we're going to do it," he said. "I've been in this position before, when it gets to this stage it doesn't matter how you win, you've just got to win.
"We have under-performed this year but it's been a frustrating season, very stop-start. We've had a lot of games called off and it's been whenever we've had a bit of consistency we've had a couple of weeks off.
"It is hard, it was always going to be, we've come up last season and if you stay up you've had a good season.
"I think we can do it, a couple of good wins and we'll be out of it and push on next season."
