Injury ends second player's career

EVO-STIK League Farsley Celtic are wishing keeper Jake Lofthouse well after he became the second player at Throstle Nest to retire this season with a serious injury.

The former Bradford City, Guiseley AFC and Harrogate Town stopper has been forced to hang up his gloves with a serious hip injury only a few months after the retirement of midfielder Richard Marshall with hip problems.

The 21-year-old, who played representative football for the West Riding County FA, joined Farsley in 2014 as understudy to then first-choice goalkeeper Tom Taylor before making his debut in April 2015 in a 3-2 win for Kendal Town in EVO-STIK First Division North at Throstle Nest.

Lofthouse contested the number one jersey with now Scarborough stopper Taylor the following season before signing on dual registration with NCEL Premier Division Harrogate Railway Athletic for the start of the 2016-17 campaign. After a change of management at Station View, the young stopper quickly returned before his season was cut-short when he underwent surgery on the hip that ultimately forced his retirement.

Lofthouse's sad news was announced in a club statement on Monday after he'd battled back to fitness to play for the club in friendlies against York City and Eccleshill United before signing on dual-registration with Farsley's tenants, NCEL Premier Division Albion Sports.

Speaking about the events leading to his decision, the keeper told the club's fans: “I saw the specialist on Tuesday and from the scan nothing had changed and that the next thing they advised would be a hip replacement, which isn’t ideal. I’ve spoken to lads in the game who I respect and trust and they all said the same thing, that long term health is more important than playing and therefore retirement was realistically the only decision.”

Looking back on his playing career, he added: “The highlights would be playing against some of the biggest teams in the country at youth level and coming into the semi-pro game, and the promotion last season is up there amongst the best moments. Of course, the promotion and County Cup triumphs were good, but the lads I’ve played with have made the last number of years memorable.

“I’ve agreed to play until the end of January so that Albion can sort out another keeper. After then I’m not too sure what the future holds to be honest. I’ll pop and watch a game or two, but longer term it might be coaching I look at, but to be honest I’ve not really thought about it.”

Farsley's goalkeeping coach Gary Stokes said of the news: “It's always sad when a player has to retire through injury. For the second time in recent weeks we are losing another of our own. As goalkeeper coach at Farsley I have worked with some great ‘keepers over the years.

"Jake was in his second spell at the club and, although he was on loan at Albion Sports, he still showed a lot of potential. He had great physique, was agile and was very quick across the ground. He learned much from Tom Morgan and Tommy Taylor in his time and was developing well.

“It was a shame when the injury first came. However, after the operation, and with the help of Gaz Liversedge, we thought we had him back to somewhere near. He went to get games in at Albion as the latest stage of his development. Unfortunately, it has not worked as expected and I am gutted for him at the outcome."

He added: "A great lad who, I believe could have gone on to better things. I would like to thank him for his hard work and for being part of a long line of good goalkeepers during my time at the club.”

Celts current first-team keeper Graeme McKibbin also wished his former training partner well in the club's statement.

McKibbin said: “Jake is a good lad and a very good ‘keeper. He always put 100% into training and when working with him, we always had some laughs. Mrs Lofthouse also made him the nicest diluting juice for training nights which he would share out! I’m gutted for Jake, but wish him well in whatever he decides to do either in or out of football.”

A Celtic spokesman added: "Everyone at Farsley Celtic would like to thank Jake for his contribution to the club on and off the pitch and wishes him all the best for the future in whatever he decides to do."

Image courtesy of @FarsleyCelticFC/Twitter

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