Colchester amputee feels ‘out of this world’ after first goal

An amputee footballer said scoring his first goal since losing a leg “felt like winning the Champions League”.

Si Collinson, 41, had his lower right leg amputated in 2019 after he was seriously injured in a crash while serving in the military.

His goal for able-bodied football team Feering Village, near Colchester, came after he feared he would never kick a ball again.

“Yes it was a pre-season friendly, but to me I’d just hit a winner at a massive game at Wembley. It was out of this world,” said Mr Collinson.

The father-of-two said he felt “disbelief, shock and relief” when he saw the ball hit the back of the net on Sunday.

He was quick to dispel any potential rumours of an “absolute screamer”, confirming his strike was from “about seven yards out”.

“Had I scored it when I had two legs there would have been nothing to write home about,” Mr Collinson said.

“But for me, the shirt came off and everything. It was a release of all the emotions, how long it has taken me to get to this point – it was the completion of a story.”

The Colchester United supporter was on a military exercise in Canada in 2017 when he became involved in an armoured vehicle crash.

He was left semi-paralysed on the right side of his body but despite recovering well, he never regained use of his ankle.

Mr Collinson decided to get his lower right leg amputated in 2019 “to have the best chance at a fuller life”.

Having initially returned to football via a team for amputees, he was later invited to join Feering, who compete in the Colchester and District Sunday League.

“My worry was people would feel sorry for me and I’d only get game time out of sympathy, but they’ve treated me like everyone else and only played me on merit,” the left winger said.

“I often think I’m mad, being 41 and with one leg coming up against young lads who are fitter than me.”

Mr Collinson said his goal on Sunday “felt like winning the Champions League”.

“When I first got injured, one of my biggest worries was I wouldn’t be able to play football again,” he added.

“To be able to run again, then play football, and then to actually score – I never actually thought it would ever happen.

“My only worry is I’ve set the bar too high for the season.”