Striker Lumsden was told to stop playing

Evo Stik Division One South

Non League Yorkshire’s Crawford HR October Player of the Month Joe Lumsden was advised by doctors to stop playing a few years ago after suffering a serious injury.

Stocksbridge striker Lumsden, 24, admits he is “lucky to be still playing”, having been badly injured during a warm-up match whilst on trial at Grimsby Town when he 17.

Lumsden only returned to the game two years ago to play for Armthorpe Welfare so his rise to being a top Evo Stik striker is also quite remarkable.

“I’ve had three operations on my knee so I didn’t play for a few seasons,” Lumsden told Non League Yorkshire.

“A couple of seasons I came back (at Armthorpe), but last season was my first full season back. I then decided to step up and come to Stocksbridge and I’ve never looked back.

“I’m catching up for lost time because I haven’t been playing semi-pro football for that long.

“I’ve surprised myself how well I have done. I got told to not play again, but I’ve come back slowly and it is going well.

“I did my ACL first while on trial at Grimsby. I then came back at Armthorpe, but did it again and another year and half out.

“I’m lucky to be still playing. I still have to do a lot of work on my knee, but I don’t think about it when I’m playing. A lot of people ask me that.

“I’m not scared of a tackle.”

The last statement is quite telling as Lumsden is one game into a three match for his controversial red card for a lunge in the FA Trophy draw with Stalybridge Celtic.

It is disappointing for Lumsden on two fronts. One because he felt the sending-off was unlucky and two because he is in such good form – Lumsden has eight goals so far this season.

“I thought I won the ball and it was harsh,” he said.

“A lot of their players said that at the time.

“But I’ve watched the video and it looks worse on the video than it actually was.

“It was the first ten minutes of the match and I thought he was going to book me.

“I’m keeping involved by doing the warm-ups, but I’m going to be bored.

“I’m going to go to Stalybridge to watch the replay and cheer the lads on. But I need to keep fit because I’ve been playing well and I don’t want to be rusty when I’m back playing.”

Lumsden was presented with his Player of the Month trophy and bottle of red wine prior to Stocksbridge’s 2-1 defeat to Basford United on Saturday.

“It is nice to get some recognition and I’m very happy to win it,” Lumsden added.

“It gets your name out there.”

The November Player of the Month vote closes tonight.