MAIDSTONE United's joint manager Alan Walker will undergo major surgery in a Belfast hospital on Tuesday after a freak accident left him partially paralysed with a broken neck.

The 47-year-old was attending an Irish FA A licence coaching course when he jumped to head a ball. On hitting the ground, he damaged his spinal chord and a disc popped out.

He suffered total paralysis for 24 hours before regaining some movement.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Walker said: "I can’t walk and I can’t grip anything. I have to admit that it’s not looking good. The surgeon has told me that he’ll know more 72 hours after the operation."

Walker is well known throughout Kent football having made 151 appearances for Gillingham and also playing for Sittingbourne.

* For more details see this Friday's Kent Messenger.