Clarke Carlisle’s wife thanks Clarets fans for applause tribute

‘@BurnleyOfficial I really appreciate all the kind wishes & thoughts. Clarke and I will always have Burnley in our hearts. 05,’ Tweeted Gemma Carlisle at the news there would be an applause tribute to her husband in the fifth minute of the Boxing Day match against Liverpool FC at Turf Moor.

The former defender and Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) chairman is in hospital after being involved in a collision with a lorry on the A64 near Bishopthorpe, North Yorkshire, on Monday morning.

He was airlifted to Leeds General infirmary by air ambulance after the incident and underwent surgery on Tuesday for his injuries.

Mrs Carlisle Tweeted that her husband was ‘very poorly’ but ‘alive and stable’.

Carlisle (35) played for Burnley for five years, playing in the Number 5 shirt.

Mrs Carlisle also thanked several of Carlisle’s other clubs, including Blackpool, QPR, Watford, Leeds, and Northampton for their messages of support. ‘Thank you each and everyone if you. I’m trying to read all messages’ she Tweeted.

Since his retirement from football, Carlisle has been working as a commentator for television and radio, as well as working hard on anti-racism campaigns within football and on mental health issues.

He is an ambassador for the mental health charity MIND

“We are all shocked to hear about Clarke’s accident and wish him a speedy recovery,” commented Mind chief executive Paul Farmer. “Our thoughts are with him, his wife Gemma, three children and his entire family at what must be a very difficult time, especially just before Christmas.

“Clarke is a wonderful Ambassador for Mind, speaking eloquently about his own experiences of mental health problems, encouraging more people to speak out and seek help. It is a privilege to have his support for our work, and we hope to see him back to full health in the near future.”