A man has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent after a football club chairman was hit by a van in Whitstable.

KentOnline reported yesterday how Herne Bay FC chairman Sam Callander, who had only recently been appointed to the role, suffered a number of injuries in the incident at the John Wilson Business Park.

Paramedics and police, including armed officers, were called to the scene at about 9.20am on Thursday.

Mr Callander – who is also a youth coach at Herne Bay FC - remains in a local hospital receiving treatment. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Following enquiries by East Kent CID, Jamie Ingram has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The 48-year-old, of Joy Lane, Whitstable, is due to appear before Folkestone Magistrates' Court today.

Herne Bay FC posted on its Twitter and Facebook pages yesterday evening, saying: “Everyone at Herne Bay Football Club would like to wish our chairman a speedy recovery! Get well soon, Sam!”

A number of fans have also shared messages wishing the former player a quick recovery.

Staff at Achieving Clarity – a chartered accountancy firm on the business park – had taken care of him in their office before emergency crews arrived at the scene.

A director of the firm, who asked only to be named as Christian, told KentOnline: “He was outside our door holding his left leg and saying he was in a lot of pain.

“We helped him inside and took care of him while the paramedics were on their way.

“Armed police and paramedics showed up and the man’s family also arrived.

“At one point there were about 25 police officers in our office.”

Armed police are understood to have attended because they were among the closest available units to scene, and not because the incident required firearms officers.