A footballer has been scarred for life after another player's boot caught his face and left him looking as though he had been "cut with a knife".

Anthony Hogg, a midfielder for Chatham Town FC, was taken to hospital after a challenge by a Leatherhead player on Saturday.

The Chats were losing 1-0 when, in the 41st minute, Hogg was injured.

He needed 20 stitches to the right of his face, close to his ear.

Manager Paul Foley said the opposing player was not to blame for the injury.

He said: "The cut was by far the worst I have seen in 20-plus years of non-league football, running from the top of his ear to past his mouth, like he had been cut with a knife."

He thought that studs or blades must have had a rough edge or bit of metal showing.

Adding that Hogg would be scarred for life, he said: "He is lucky it was not nearer his eye, his ear or, heaven forbid, his neck, which is what he was worried about at the time."

An ambulance was called and Anthony had plastic surgery to repair some of the damage. Chatham lost the match 2-0.