A referee in the North West has been assaulted on the pitch shortly after giving a red card, and has been left with ‘significant injuries’.
Dave Bradshaw was admitted to hospital following the attack, which occurred while he was overseeing an amateur match between Wigan Rose and Platt Bridge FC.
He issued a red card to a player for Platt Bridge FC on Sunday afternoon, who then launched an attack on the referee.
It’s understood his injuries include broken ribs, a concussion, and a broken nose, Lancs Live reports.
Dave Bradshaw was attacked on the pitch in Wigan. Credit: Facebook
The player responsible for the attack is no longer part of the Platt Bridge FC team, the club announced.
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They said in a statement on Facebook: “We as a club do not condone any violence towards anyone in the football community.
“We are ashamed of what has happened, and the player is no longer playing with our team going forward.
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“We as a team hope we can build our reputation back to what we have worked so hard for.”
Dave said on Monday: “It’s been a very traumatic 12 hours, thanks for all the kind words. I’ve sustained substantial injuries.
“I’ll survive [but] my confidence has been smashed to bits. Please because of one person don’t tarnish the club with the same brush. The club are doing great things for the community.”
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He’d earlier said: “Can’t sleep in so much pain.”
GMP said: “Police were made aware at around 6pm on Sunday 2 October 2022 of a serious assault, that had taken place during the Platt Bridge v Wigan Rose Remembrance Cup game, held earlier in the day at football pitches in a Platt Bridge.
“As a result, a referee sustained significant injuries which resulted in him needing hospital treatment. As over 100 people attended the game, officers are asking anyone with any information, including mobile phone footage, to contact them. This can be done via gmp.police.uk, 101 or 0161 856 7094, quoting reference number 2490-021022. Crimestoppers – the independent charity – can also be contacted on 0800 555 111 and in emergency, dial 999.”
The FA said in a statement titled ‘Enough is enough’: “We are aware of incidents of assault on a match official and a player during matches played this weekend in Lancashire.
“We have been very clear that all forms of anti-social behaviour, abuse and assaults on match officials and participants are completely unacceptable and we will not tolerate this in the game.
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“We are investigating the incidents as a matter of urgency, working with the Lancashire FA, who are liaising with the police and supporting the match official and player affected.”
Featured image: Facebook
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Daisy Jackson -
5th October 2022 
