Post by Hughesie on Oct 5, 2005 19:54:22 GMT
BURNLEY Football Club is being sued by a fan who was hit in the face with a football at a match.
Jean Mills - wife of well known supporter Derek "Rocky" Mills - today said she was taking action after failing to win an apology from the club.
It is thought to be the first case of its kind in British football.
THE WIFE of Burnley's "number one football fan" is suing the Clarets after suffering a head injury when she was struck by a football.
The legal battle is believed to be the first in the history of British football.
Season ticket holder Jean Mills (pictured, bottom right) says she feared she was going blind after suffering a horrific eye injury while watching the pre-season friendly with Malaga at Turf Moor on June 23.
She is still enduring problems with her vision and is now in the process of putting a claim in against the football club.
Legal experts say it is possible to win such a case - as long as lawyers can prove the club was negligent.
Jean is known as "Rockette" to the Turf Moor faithful as she is married to the Clarets' "number one fan" Derek "Rocky" Mills, who has supported the club for 47 years.
She says she is not motivated by money but is making the claim on a matter of principle after the club did not even offer an apology when she informed them about her injury.
She said she had to think long and hard before taking legal action because of the couple's devotion to the club.
"Rocky" recently appeared on Sky TV in a programme focused on committed football fans and spends £3,000 a year on the game.
Jean has supported the club home and away for three years since marrying Rocky.
The couple, of Woodend Road, were getting up just before half-time to get refreshments when she said she was struck by the football, believed to have been kicked into the crowd during open play.
Mrs Mills said: "I stood up and the ball hit me in my face and I had to go to first aid and they put an ice pack on it. I was having terrible headaches and could not see out my eye. I had terrible vision and thought I was going blind.
"Some mornings I would sit up and not be able to see from it. One morning I woke up and could not see anything at all. I have blurred vision. It's like a shield. Like a horse wearing blinkers.
"I'm still having problems with my vision and I can't drive. It was very stressful and I thought I would lose the sight in my eye. We told the club and they did not apologise or anything."
Mrs Mills said she had to go to her doctor, opticians and then Burnley General Hospital several times before her injury was diagnosed as a bruised muscle at the side of her forehead that was putting pressure on her eye.
She said she will visit her doctor again next year when it's hoped the injury will have healed.
She added: "I initially thought about taking legal action but thought as we are supporters we can't really do it. But it's impaired my life and I was really upset. I have had three months of distress until I got the all clear. It's put me under a lot of pressure.
"I think they should have apologised. We are keen supporters and my husband has been a supporter since he was a child. It's not put me off going to football. We are still going to games but I duck my head a bit now."
Her case has been taken up by Blackburn-based The Legal Firm.
Legal representative Rick Harris said: "I think she has got a good case."
Association of British Insurers spokesman Michael Tarling said: "Anybody can take action against anybody else for damages but there's a lot to stop someone from winning.
Former Clarets legend and Lancashire Evening Telegrpah columnist Andy Lochhead, said: "Something like this never crossed my mind when I was playing and although players do kick balls away in frustration or anger, I'm sure there was no malice directed."
Jean Mills - wife of well known supporter Derek "Rocky" Mills - today said she was taking action after failing to win an apology from the club.
It is thought to be the first case of its kind in British football.
THE WIFE of Burnley's "number one football fan" is suing the Clarets after suffering a head injury when she was struck by a football.
The legal battle is believed to be the first in the history of British football.
Season ticket holder Jean Mills (pictured, bottom right) says she feared she was going blind after suffering a horrific eye injury while watching the pre-season friendly with Malaga at Turf Moor on June 23.
She is still enduring problems with her vision and is now in the process of putting a claim in against the football club.
Legal experts say it is possible to win such a case - as long as lawyers can prove the club was negligent.
Jean is known as "Rockette" to the Turf Moor faithful as she is married to the Clarets' "number one fan" Derek "Rocky" Mills, who has supported the club for 47 years.
She says she is not motivated by money but is making the claim on a matter of principle after the club did not even offer an apology when she informed them about her injury.
She said she had to think long and hard before taking legal action because of the couple's devotion to the club.
"Rocky" recently appeared on Sky TV in a programme focused on committed football fans and spends £3,000 a year on the game.
Jean has supported the club home and away for three years since marrying Rocky.
The couple, of Woodend Road, were getting up just before half-time to get refreshments when she said she was struck by the football, believed to have been kicked into the crowd during open play.
Mrs Mills said: "I stood up and the ball hit me in my face and I had to go to first aid and they put an ice pack on it. I was having terrible headaches and could not see out my eye. I had terrible vision and thought I was going blind.
"Some mornings I would sit up and not be able to see from it. One morning I woke up and could not see anything at all. I have blurred vision. It's like a shield. Like a horse wearing blinkers.
"I'm still having problems with my vision and I can't drive. It was very stressful and I thought I would lose the sight in my eye. We told the club and they did not apologise or anything."
Mrs Mills said she had to go to her doctor, opticians and then Burnley General Hospital several times before her injury was diagnosed as a bruised muscle at the side of her forehead that was putting pressure on her eye.
She said she will visit her doctor again next year when it's hoped the injury will have healed.
She added: "I initially thought about taking legal action but thought as we are supporters we can't really do it. But it's impaired my life and I was really upset. I have had three months of distress until I got the all clear. It's put me under a lot of pressure.
"I think they should have apologised. We are keen supporters and my husband has been a supporter since he was a child. It's not put me off going to football. We are still going to games but I duck my head a bit now."
Her case has been taken up by Blackburn-based The Legal Firm.
Legal representative Rick Harris said: "I think she has got a good case."
Association of British Insurers spokesman Michael Tarling said: "Anybody can take action against anybody else for damages but there's a lot to stop someone from winning.
Former Clarets legend and Lancashire Evening Telegrpah columnist Andy Lochhead, said: "Something like this never crossed my mind when I was playing and although players do kick balls away in frustration or anger, I'm sure there was no malice directed."
