Football club bans small shin pads after leg break

Alfie was invited to present a player-of-the-match award during another game after the leg break

A football club has banned small shin pads after a youth player suffered a double leg break.

Penistone Church player Alfie broke his tibia and fibular in a tackle during a game on Sunday, the club said.

The 15-year-old's shin pads, which were no bigger than a credit card, were similar to a size recently worn by stars of the professional game.

Alfie warned other footballers: "Take a step back and look at the potential consequences of wearing them, and think, are they really worth it?"

The shin pad Alfie was wearing when he broke his leg

The miniature pads, which have become a "trend" in the Premier League, are designed to protect the front of the leg in challenges, but their dimensions have been reducing.

The Football Association said that while shin pads were a requirement, they had to "provide a reasonable degree of protection" although there was no rule specification on size.

"They are the most pathetic shin pads you've ever seen," Alfie admitted.

His father Steve said he usually only allowed his son to wear the smaller shin guards during training sessions, but they were switched by Alfie at half-time during his match on a hot day.

"They are a bit of a fashion thing, with the professionals wearing them," Steve said.

Professional football players have been seen wearing small shin pads

The micro pads, worn by players such as Manchester City star Jack Grealish, allow socks to be worn lower down the leg.

Penistone Church shared photos of the X-ray of Alfie's leg with the permission of his parents to raise awareness of the safety risks.

"The injury was in a 50:50 tackle and in no way a malicious challenge," the club said.

"Alfie started the game with shin pads on but due to the heat, at half-time switched to shin pads no bigger than 3cm (1.1in) by 9cm (3.5in)."

The Barnsley-based club said senior and junior teams would no longer allow the pads to be used following the incident.

Alfie broke both bones in his lower leg

Club officials said they accepted the small pads may not have been directly responsible for the leg break, but wanted larger guards to be used across all age groups.

"On Sunday, both teams’ players were in shock at what they saw, as were their parents and the teams and parents waiting to play the next game on that pitch," the statement continued.

"We assure you that those lads will never wear shin pads smaller than a bank card ever again!"

Alfie said he was "very confident" he would return to football after his recovery.

The teenager added: "It’s not worth the extra bit of speed to have you knocked out of football for months and months. It's not worth the risk."

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