Non-league football club Billericay Town have issued a statement confirming one of their players was the victim of a serious and unprovoked assault on New Year's Eve.
Club Statement Details Serious Assault
Billericay Town FC confirmed that midfielder Jack Evans sustained serious injuries during the incident which occurred on 31 December. The Isthmian League Premier Division side stated the 32-year-old is now receiving treatment and has the full backing of everyone at the club.
The attack has had severe consequences for Evans, who has been unable to return to his day job and is expected to be absent from work for a considerable period. The club has also revealed that the injuries require private medical treatment.
Fundraiser Launched for Medical Costs and Lost Earnings
In response to the situation, the club has shared a GoFundMe campaign established to support Evans. The fundraiser aims to help cover the significant costs of his private medical treatment and provide support for his loss of income during recovery.
The description on the fundraising page explains that Evans suffered serious facial injuries. It states: "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."
The campaign has a target of £6,000 and had already raised £2,705 at the time of the club's announcement. The organisers noted that Evans was initially reluctant to set up the page but that support was crucial given the circumstances.
Football Career Impact and Viral Moment
The attack has also disrupted Evans's football career. He has missed Billericay's last two matches against Hashtag United and Burgess Hill Town since the incident.
Evans, who made his Football League debut for Gillingham in League Two at age 18 in 2011, joined Billericay Town last summer. He has made 23 appearances for the club, scoring three goals. Previously, he had spells at Tamworth, Eastbourne, Sutton United, Maidstone, and was captain at Chatham Town.
One of his goals for Billericay gained notable attention online; a spectacular long-distance volley that was compared to the famous strike by Newcastle United's Papiss Cisse against Chelsea.
The club's statement concluded with a message of support: "We wish Jack strength and a full recovery." The football community is now rallying to aid the player during this challenging time.
