This is the, er, deformed left hand of former Chelsea keeper Eddie Niedzwiecki. Eddie played for the Blues and Wrexham from 1977 to 1988, before injuries (not this one, incredibly, but a series of back surgeries) forced him to retire.
It's difficult to imagine what would cause this sort of damage. Was it one violent moment, an explosive shot that caught his hand at just the wrong angle? Or is it a cumulative result of hundreds of such moments? I think most keepers can relate to the feeling. And Eddie, born in 1959, would have played much of his youth and early pro career without the protective benefit of latex palms.
Eddie, if you're out there, please get in touch and tell the story.
Thanks to mooneyphoto for use of the picture.
2 comments:
I just found out about this blog today and I just wanted to let you know that I LOVE IT! I'm a young goalkeeper and am very picky about the blogs I subscribe too and I liked this one. Keep posting!! Thanks! (that finger doesn't look to good)
That happened to me playing indoor when a close range shot came off the wall into the end of my little finger. It wasn't quite a right angle, but it was close. Surgery, 2 pins, and 3 years later it is close to normal but my thumb and pinky can't touch. Yipes.
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