Shawcross grateful for support

Defender received backing from Ferguson and Gerrard

By Jamie Casey   Last updated: 18th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Shawcross grateful for support

Shawcross: Putting incident behind him

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Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross has revealed he received messages of support from Sir Alex Ferguson and Steven Gerrard in the wake of his tackle which broke Aaron Ramsey's leg.

The former Manchester United youngster was visibly distraught after being sent off for the late challenge during Arsenal's 3-1 win at the Britannia Stadium last month.

Having now served his three-match ban, Shawcross is available to boss Tony Pulis as Stoke host Tottenham on Saturday and is expected to play for the first time since the incident.

After receiving messages of support from fans in abundance, the 22-year-old is keen to put the episode behind him and continue his promising career after recently receiving an England call-up.

"It was a big downer after that incident and then I got the England call-up, which was a fantastic achievement," said the centre-half.

"That's the end of it. We made contact but I'd like to keep that between me and Aaron. I just want to concentrate on football and Aaron has to concentrate on getting back to full fitness."

Backing

The horrific injury ended Ramsey's season but the teenager is expected to make a full recovery, with Shawcross revealing he had the backing of two of the game's biggest figures.

"Sir Alex (Ferguson) rang me after the Carling Cup final, which was good of him, and we had a good chat and that was just something to lift my spirits," he said.

"That is the man he is and he is a fantastic manager and even when you leave he keeps in contact and makes sure you are all right.

"That is probably why he is one of the best managers there has been."

He added: "I got a text from Steven Gerrard to say I was welcome in the (England) squad, so straight away I knew they would be fine with me.

"He was checking I was fine. He didn't have to do it but it shows what kind of character he is in helping someone out.

"I was quite surprised how quickly I was back to normal. I knew straight after I was going to be the same player and make tackles.

"It was an accident and these things happen in football - I'm not going to change the way I play. If I get chance to play on Saturday I will play my normal game as I always have done."

Comments (13)

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Jimmy Gives (Newcastle Utd) (Newcastle United fan) says...

Arsenal fans are never done accusing the media of being anti-wenger anti-arsenal etc. Theres no bias in this article whatsoever, it simply says he received msgs of support, it doesnt say poor shawcross, the victim. Im sure as soon as ramsey does his first interview he%uFFFDll be able to prove how much support hes had and Im sure gerrard and ferguson wouldnt have got in touch with one and not the other, ramseys just not in the limelight as he nurses his leg.

Posted 20:19 18th March 2010

Bill Salter (Cardiff City fan) says...

I felt sorry for shawcross until I read this article, I am sure Ramsay will feel much better now gerrard and sir alex rang shawcross and his England career... Pity is for Wales is we are have lost our most tallented player in the europe championship a young prospect it was not shawcrosses fault but Ramsay is the victim not shawcross

Posted 19:58 18th March 2010

Oswald Mwaulambo (Arsenal fan) says...

It was a good idea for Sir Alex Ferguson and Steve Gerrard to send supportive messages to Shawwcross. However, the two legends should have done the same to the victim, Aaron. Otherwise, they may seem to have been congratulating destroyer.

Posted 19:31 18th March 2010

Ming yu Wong (Chelsea fan) says...

Well what he has yet to receive is any mention from Aaron himself, and until then there will never be closure to his guilt. This guy obviously has issues, based on his poor track record of tackling. Saying he will make the same tackles is like Drogba saying I will continue to stamp on opponents, dive, slap people's faces and voice injustices in front of young kids.

Posted 18:04 18th March 2010

Laurence Wright (Arsenal fan) says...

Well done to Sir Alex and Steven Gerrard for supporting a fellow professional and also, what we sometimes forget with footballers, a young lad who seems to have his heart in the right place. Having said that it does still disturb me that a tackle with such horrendous consequences for another young lad should recieve such a lenient punishment. Let's just say that if (more like when) this happens again it will not be any players fault, it will be the fault of the FA and Premier league for not giving a tough enough sentence.

Posted 17:21 18th March 2010

Barry Ryan (Arsenal fan) says...

people need to put things into perspective here. its ramsey who is the victom in this not shawcross.ramsey might never reach the potential he was showing after this.somehow i think if it was a foreginer who did the same damage to an english player,people might have a different attitude on this and certainly wouldnt be supporting shawcross.

Posted 17:17 18th March 2010

Rakshith Nayak (Manchester United fan) says...

Ryan mate. After a horrific tackle like that, to go on and say that you would make tackles like that again is shocking. yes things like this happen in football but at the end of the day the foot was raised high. so dont tackle with less aggression. just improve technically so that it dont happen again.

Posted 17:13 18th March 2010

Abu-atiku Muhammed (Manchester United fan) says...

It must really hurt to be in the news for the wqrong reason, particularly for such a young player. It thrill my heart that he was able to find support from legends of the game. One needs to remember how distraught he was immediately teh incident occured to realise how much of a fair player he is. Nevertheless I wish players would be more considerate in going for tackles as no matter how innocent a player intentions may be in such accidental contact he may come out the worst for it and it may lead to an end to a flourinshing career.

Posted 17:02 18th March 2010

Jose Antonio (Sevilla fan) says...

I am wondering if Sir Alex Ferguson and Steven Gerard called Aaron Ramsey to give him support? It sounds like Aaron Ramsey has broken Shawcross's leg. Ridiculous. People who sent their support to the killer, but not the victim, must be insane.

Posted 17:00 18th March 2010

Lou Lawler (Northampton Town fan) says...

What is the media on when Shawcross becomes a saint for breaking a fellow professionals leg? I am sure there was no intent to break Aarons leg just as a drunk driver does not intend to kill by recless driving. It does not detract from the fact that the 'tackle' was recless and obviously dangerous. The art of tackling hard and fair should be allowed and condoned but this was very far from a fair challenge.

Posted 16:54 18th March 2010

Graham Hassall (Stoke City fan) says...

don`t worry ryan, only a few deluded peaople think you meant any harm, they are the same fans that loved to watch viera attempt to cut opposing players in half and keown scream at other players so their opinion counts for nowt. one day you`ll be an england legend and they`ll be shouting your name.

Posted 16:42 18th March 2010

Rich James (Stoke City fan) says...

Welcome back, Ryan. Proper player with a great future ahead of him at both domestic and international level. It was a shame about Ramsey's injury but these things happen in a contact sport such a football. Hopefully Ramsey will return as good as new and Ryan can now continue in his career and progress into the top class defender we all know he can become.

Posted 16:33 18th March 2010

Rich Jones (Stoke City fan) says...

Top lad, great to know other professionals in the game have been so supportive of our Ryan.

Posted 16:25 18th March 2010
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