23 December 2014:Â Former Professional Footballers’ Association chairman Clarke Carlisle is in hospital after being involved in a collision with a lorry.
The ex-Burnley defender, 35, was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary.
The cause of the accident near York is unknown, although the BBC understands his injuries are not life-threatening.
A PFA statement read: “Everyone is keeping Clarke in their prayers and thoughts. We are offering our full help and support to him and his family.”
Carlisle is an ambassador for equality campaign body Kick It Out, who tweeted: “The thoughts and prayers of everyone here are with Clarke and his family.
“Stay strong our dear friend – keep on fighting.”
Police have appealed for witnesses to the accident, which happened on the A64 near the village of Bishopthorpe at 07:30 GMT on Monday.
A police spokeswoman said: “The collision involved a male pedestrian and a lorry.
“The injured man has been airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary with serious injuries.
“The road was closed to allow the air ambulance to land and to allow collision investigators to examine the scene.”
Centre-back Carlisle, who is married with three children, made more than 500 appearances during a playing career spanning 16 years at nine clubs, including Leeds and QPR.
He retired in 2013 after his last club, Northampton, were beaten by Bradford in the League Two play-off final.
During his playing career, he worked as a TV pundit and at the PFA and Kick It Out, with whom he has become a vociferous campaigner for inclusion and equality in football.
Carlisle succeeded Chris Powell as PFA chairman in November 2010 before Chesterfield’s Ritchie Humphreys took over from him last year.
A member of the PFA visited him in hospital on Monday morning.
Source: BBC Sport
