Courtesy of Shawcross Sharks ARLFC website – Ryan Glynn a star player at Shaw Cross Sharks suffered a serious spinal injury on Saturday 9th March 2013. Shaw Cross had travelled to Elland ARLFC to play round two of the National Conference League Division 2 programme.

With 11 minutes to go and the Sharks leading by 10 points to 2 Ryan was tackled and seriously injured. Ryan is currently admitted to the spinal injury unit in Sheffield. Ryan has had two major operations today and has had screws fixed into his dislodged vertebrae’s. Further updates will follow.

On behalf of Ryan’s family and Shaw Cross Sharks I want to put on record our thanks to the staff at Elland ARLFC, the Ambulance service and the staff at hospital in Sheffield. Right from the point of injury Ryan was in very capable hands.

We at Shaw Cross have been inundated with calls and messages offering help. We intend to auction / raffle rugby league memorabilia, charity matches have been arranged – the response has come from as far as Australia to Kent to Peterlee. I have personally been humbled and emotionally drained at how the Rugby League community at all levels has shown its support.

Our clubs web site is – www.shawxsharks.com and I intend to keep everyone fully updated via the site.

Any donations can be made payable to – Shaw Cross Sharks open age. The postal address for donations and items for auction is –

Ravensport
Raven House
Town St
Earlsheaton
Dewsbury
WF12 8JA

The club has two designated points of contact in relation to this matter –

1. Benny Richardson – 07803347721
2. Brett Turner – 07837995663

We are all deeply upset and saddened by this terrible injury to one of our players. I would like to ask everyone to please respect the privacy of Ryan and his family during this difficult time. I am also aware that many of our players and staff are struggling to come to terms with this incident and again ask that all questions are directed to me or Brett Turner.

Regards

Benny Richardson – Secretary Shaw Cross Sharks.

**Update Added 19:38 12/03/2013**
Ryan’s operations went well and he is currently in recovery with plates and bolts in his spine. He remains in good spirits despite still been in pain and has had visits from his team mates today. Ryan will now get the support and help to aid his long road to recovery. More updates will follow in due course. Once again we would like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for their kindness and donations in support of Ryan.

**Update Added 17:43 13/03/2103**
Scan results have come back clear, but there is swelling to the spinal cord so they won’t be able to see if there is any damage until this reduces, nothing has moved and Ryan’s neck remains straight.

**Update Added 07:43 15/03/2013**
Ryan is still in Sheffield Spinal Unit recovering from the operations and it is too early to tell anything just yet as the swelling is still going down. They are looking at moving him to Huddersfield whilst he continues the slow recovery process. Once again Ryan is in the best hands possible and has his family with him for support. There will be ups and downs along the way but Ryan as always is a tough cookie and remains positive.

Last updated by James Stott | 15th March 2013