Footballer raising money to pay for knee surgery

Ella Humphrey was released from Portsmouth FC Women at the end of last season

A footballer is raising money to pay for surgery on her knee to help get her career back on track after an injury that was "every player's worst fear".

Striker Ella Humphrey, 21, from Worthing, played at Portsmouth FC Women for three seasons but missed most of the last one due to a dislocated ankle and was released.

She got back on the pitch after months of rehab, but 10 minutes into a pre-season friendly she felt pain. After scans, she was told she had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her knee.

Humphrey is now trying to raise the £7,500 needed for private surgery due to a long wait for treatment on the NHS.

She said it had been "difficult" fundraising while also dealing with not having a club to play for.

But she said the support from friends, family and even strangers from around the world had been "overwhelming".

So far they have helped her raise £5,756 on her fundraising page.

"It was every player's worst fear as I wasn't insured," she said.

"So the cost of surgery was a lot and so it was a really difficult situation to be in.

"However, I had a lot of support from the club as well as family and friends. I'm really grateful for everyone's support.

"It'll be a long process to get back to full fitness, as I'm having a reconstruction so the ligament will be weak.

"But after that it'll just be about getting the strength and fitness back up, before then getting my career back on track."