' WALES STAR APOLOGIESES '

'I should stick to defending!' Wales star writes brilliant apology to young boy he hit in the face with wayward shot

Tuesday 9th September 2016

BY JON DOEL

The Wales defender admitted he should probably leave the shooting to others after giving the lad the fright of his life



James Collins has written to the the fan's family

Wales football star James Collins has sent a wonderful message to the little boy he blasted in the face with a ball last night, admitting: "I should stick to defending!"

Six-year-old Ryan Evans received the shock of his life after a wayward shot from the West Ham defender hit him squarely in the face as he sat behind one of the goals during the pre-game warm-up.

Concerned Collins climbed into the stands to check on the young fan, later giving him Gareth Bale's shirt after medical staff checked Ryan over.

And, after Ryan's Dad, Darren, thanked Collins on WalesOnline this morning , the Premier League star, who won his 50th cap against Moldova, sent this lovely message to the family.


A Wales football star blasted a young fan in the face with the ball and then climbed into the stands with a special gift

"So glad to hear that he's ok, I'm very sorry, it was an awful shot," Collins wrote

"I've got three children myself so would understand how concerned it probably made you feel and how upset it must have made Ryan.

"I should probably stick to defending and not shooting!!

"If you would send me your address and Ryan's clothes and shoe size I will get a few West Ham and Nike bits sent down to him to say sorry.

"Hope you enjoyed the game last night and thanks for your support as always. Ginge xx."

Ryan and his family were allowed to move seats by Cardiff City Stadium staff following the incident and went on to enjoy a wonderful night as Wales started their World Cup campaign with a 4-0 win.

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Annis,

It was my son that got hit and to be honest it was a hell of a whack which took him by total shock and wouldve hurt any adult ,he was upset for a while and very shocked.
I cant fault any of the staff they gave him a good medical check once he'd calmed down and once we got back in our seats he was very nervous incase it happened again so they moved us up to level 4 where there was space and he was able to settle down and sit and watch the game which he then really enjoyed he loved seeing Bale score and loved singing the ledley song ,had that not happened we were on the verge of going home but I'm so glad we didnt as it was his first Wales game and it would've been awful for him to remember it for the wrong reasons but hes a tough little boy been through a few things and hes a junior ice hockey player with the Cardiff Devils.

Ginge has been in touch today as he was very concerned last night and today to find out how he was and has said he will be sending him some things through the post so a happy ending thank goodness.

What a wonderful gesture by Collins, as you can tell he's genuinely sorry, so fair play to do this for him.

As for the little lad, he looks a cracking little kid, and he went onto enjoy the game, had a pic with Collins and will receive a few bits n bobs, definetly one to tell his children when he's older.

same happened with pilks warming up against reading. his shot hit some guy that wasnt expecting it in the canton and fair bit of blood.(not a child tho) i know he gave him his training top at the time but unsure if anything happened later. he got the stewards to get the fans details

just to change topic slightly, how hard is it to put up some behind-goal netting before the match for shooting practice? I wouldn't of thought it would be too difficult, enough money is in football

I was in the Ninian stand,and actually saw the incident,fair play the boy took hell of a hit,but a brave lad for staying,fair play for Collins though,went straight into the Canton to check on him

Huge respect to Collins for doing this and for showing genuine concern.

Glad the boy enjoyed the game.

Annis,

It was my son that got hit and to be honest it was a hell of a whack which took him by total shock and wouldve hurt any adult ,he was upset for a while and very shocked.
I cant fault any of the staff they gave him a good medical check once he'd calmed down and once we got back in our seats he was very nervous incase it happened again so they moved us up to level 4 where there was space and he was able to settle down and sit and watch the game which he then really enjoyed he loved seeing Bale score and loved singing the ledley song ,had that not happened we were on the verge of going home but I'm so glad we didnt as it was his first Wales game and it would've been awful for him to remember it for the wrong reasons but hes a tough little boy been through a few things and hes a junior ice hockey player with the Cardiff Devils.

Ginge has been in touch today as he was very concerned last night and today to find out how he was and has said he will be sending him some things through the post so a happy ending thank goodness.

Bet he wished it was bale who had the shot, but then again bale would have hit the back of the net.

just to change topic slightly, how hard is it to put up some behind-goal netting before the match for shooting practice? I wouldn't of thought it would be too difficult, enough money is in football

yes, though at wolves away there was no netting and the players were directly slamming the ball into the crowd in shooting practice. it was downright dangerous.

in this day and age, totally unforgivable.

just to change topic slightly, how hard is it to put up some behind-goal netting before the match for shooting practice? I wouldn't of thought it would be too difficult, enough money is in football

yes, though at wolves away there was no netting and the players were directly slamming the ball into the crowd in shooting practice. it was downright dangerous.

in this day and age, totally unforgivable.

A few poles, a net, take the poles and net down. The country is health and safety mad now so it's somewhat surprising this risk to public safety is never looked at.

"If you would send me your address and Ryan's clothes and shoe size I will get a few West Ham and Nike bits sent down to him to say sorry.

Come on Ginge! Haven't you hurt the boy enough? Why make it worse by lumbering him with west ham bits?

They have the poles and netting in the grange end for Cardiff games.

What a wonderful gesture by Collins, as you can tell he's genuinely sorry, so fair play to do this for him.

As for the little lad, he looks a cracking little kid, and he went onto enjoy the game, had a pic with Collins and will receive a few bits n bobs, definetly one to tell his children when he's older.

I remeber Chopra absolutly leathered it before the game and almost took this young girls head clean off!!!!

Glad Ryan was okay after what could have been a serious incident!

James 'Ginger' Collins a Bluebird through and through!

Nice touch by Collins fair play.

However, we should be used to wayward shooting at CCS....... oh hang on - it was nice to just see a shot, irrespective how off target.

He was all fine last night and finding it funny that he was on the internet but was wondering what the fuss was all about as he was asked in school but he was back doing what he loves playing ice hockey for the Junior Cardiff Devils last night at training and having all his mates ask him all about it ,He loved it though and is always a funny,cheerful boy with loads of energy .

good to hear the lad is ok, i actually said to my little man keep your eye on them shooting incase they miss and it hits u and then collins hit the little fella, fair play to ginge tho he was genuinely concerned from what i seen and the fact hes looking to send more gear on shows hes a top bloke, and glad the kid stayed and enjoyed the game