A FORMER Croydon schoolboy and promising young athlete is in a coma after suffering a head injury during a football match on Saturday.
Redhill FC player Kariym Irving, 22, was involved in a clash of heads while playing for the Surrey team's reserves against Knaphill, but decided to finish the game.
It was only later that evening that Irving collapsed, and he is currently being treated in St George's Hospital in Tooting, where he is in an induced coma.
The 6ft 8ins former John Fisher School pupil is a keen sportsman who also plays rugby as well as representing Surrey in athletics, specialising in the discus.
He used to compete regularly against fellow Croydon Harrier Lawrence Okoye, who went on to reach the 2012 Olympic discus final.
Redhill first team manager Mike Maher has thanked the football community for their support, adding everyone at the club is hoping for positive news.
"Kariym took a knock to the head during the game but there was no sign of concussion and he decided to continue," Maher explained. "He normally lives on his own, but thank God he was with his girlfriend that evening or no one might have been there when he collapsed that evening.
"Kariym is an extremely talented athlete as well as a footballer and we are all just hoping for good news. There is nothing anyone can do at the moment, it's down to Kariym and his doctors, but we are hoping and praying he makes a full recovery.
"It's at times like this the football community pulls together and that has been great to see, we are grateful for all the messages of support for Kariym."
And the Redhill boss believe it is a reminder of the dangers of head injuries.
"Head injuries can never be ignored," he said. "Thankfully, Kariym's girlfriend was there otherwise we don't know what would have happened. After a knock, no matter how small, it's important to keep an eye on the person for the next 48 hours."
