BILLERICAY TOWN midfielder Jack Evans was attacked in an unprovoked incident on New Year’s Eve and now needs medical treatment, the club have revealed.
Evans, 32, suffered serious facial injuries and has been left unable to work.
A fundraiser has been set up to help generate the £6,500 needed for Evans, with over £2,900 being donated in the first three days.
Evans has not played in either of Billericay‘s two matches since the attack with the team losing 2-1 at home to Hashtag United on January 3 before beating Burgess Hill Town on the road on Saturday.
The former Gillingham, Maidstone, and Tamworth player has scored four goals this season with three of them in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
A statement from the club on Sunday said: “Billericay Town FC can confirm that our player@evans_jack73905 was the victim of an unprovoked attack on New Year’s Eve, resulting in serious injuries.
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“Jack is receiving treatment and has the full support of everyone at the football club.
“A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover private medical costs related to his recovery, should supporters wish to help. We wish Jack strength and a full recovery”.
The GoFundMe adds: “Sadly, the extent of Jack’s injuries means he has been unable to return to work since the incident and more recent news indicates that he is unlikely to be able to do so for the foreseeable future.
“Alongside the significant medical costs, this also means a considerable loss of income.
“We are asking, if possible, for people to come together to help Jack cover the cost of his treatment and to support him through this difficult period, and hopefully help towards the loss of earnings too.
“Jack has always been reluctant to set up a GoFundMe page, but given the impact this situation would have on anyone, we feel it’s important to step in and support him — just as he would do for others.
“Thank you so much for any support or donation. It is truly appreciated.”
Responding to the news, Hashtag themselves replied: “Horrific news that goes well beyond football.
“All the best to Jack, his family, and those at the club; and we’d like to wish him all the best with his recovery”.
Evans joined Billericay last summer and went viral in November for scoring a stunning goal reminiscent of Papiss Cisse‘s banana strike against Chelsea in 2012.
Billericay are currently in mid-table after 24 games but only eight points off the play-off places with a game in hand over their rivals.