Instead of spending the funds they'd saved for a trip to Benidorm, Ryan's teammates pledged to support him on Friday after he was left facing an operation, months of rehabilitation and a long lay-off from work.

Hurt in an innocuous tackle for a bouncing ball soon after half-time, the timing is particularly unfortunate for the 24-year-old, pictured, only recently returned after suffering a fractured jaw before Christmas that had kept him out of action for two months.

Officials at Wincham Park have been updating fans since he was hurt in the 2-2 draw in the top flight at the Marine Travel Arena and are urging others to give what they can after setting up an online fundraising page.

@WittonAlbion tweeted: "The players had a holiday to Benidorm at the end of the season planned and the money they put in to that over the course of the season will be given to Nick to help him get by whilst out of work with the sustained injury. Utter class from our lads #HatsOff. We have set-up a JustGiving Page for people to donate money to help out our Nick Ryan whilst he's injured and out of work for a long time. Please donate what you can."

The Wittoners also thanked Ryan's many well-wishers since news of his injury broke, adding in a series of tweets: "To all fans and clubs that have given your words of support, on behalf of Nick, a massive thank you to you all, you've all been super."

Witton boss Carl Macauley was the first to reveal the gesture in his post-match press conference, telling the Northwich Guardian: "This is a special bunch of lads. We all want to stick by Nick and make sure we give him our full backing. It’s tough as a player to see your teammate get hurt like that.

“We talked about it after the game, and Paul Williams stood up before making a suggestion that they use what they’ve put into the kitty – for social stuff and their trip away at the end of the season – to help him get by. It’s a great gesture, and we’re all desperate for him to make a speedy recovery.”

Image courtesy of @WittonAlbion/Twitter

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