Aycliffe star Peck out for the season

By Martin Walker

Newton Aycliffe FC have today been dealt a huge injury blow, with defender Mark Peck ruled out for the rest of the season.

The 21-year-old left-sided player, who’s been a revelation for Aycliffe since joining the club in September 2010, has had to undergo emergency surgery on a burst artery in his lower leg.

The Chester-le-Street resident had the operation at the University Hospital in Durham yesterday, and now faces a long-term rehabilitation programme and at least three months off work.

Newtonians boss Allan Oliver told Aycliffe Today: “It’s a massive blow to the club and a terrible injury for Mark, who’s been a tremendous player for us in the last 18 months.

“His leg suddenly swelled up and they’ve had to take an artery out of the front of his lower leg, so it was a major, major operation.

“The lad is gutted and, obviously, we’re all thinking about him. He’s also just had a young baby with his girlfriend so from a financial point of view it’s a big blow for him and his family, as he won’t be able to work for at least three months.

“But we’ll do what we can to try to help. He’s a big character for us and the sooner we have him back, the better.”

Oliver plucked Peck from Durham Alliance League outfit Whitehill just weeks into the 2010-11 season and he went on to make 34 appearances at both the heart of the Aycliffe defence, and occasionally at left-back, weighing in with three goals.

He has played another 22 games so far this season, winning four man-of-the-match awards in Aycliffe’s debut first division campaign.

Oliver talks to Aycliffe Today in an exclusive video interview tomorrow, looking ahead to Saturday’s game at home to in-form Ashington, who hammered Spennymoor 4-1 on Tuesday night.

Billingham Town 0, Newton Aycliffe 5 – Match Report