Football manager reveals lucky escape after squirrel-related bicycle accident

Scunthorpe manager Alan Knill (GETTY IMAGES)

Scunthorpe are on a dreadful losing run, and while most managers would be going nuts, Alan Knill's recent lucky escape from a squirrel related incident has put things into perspective for the Irons' boss.

Following the latest defeat for his side, at home to Notts County in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, a result which took Scunthorpe's losing run to six game, fans were calling for Knill's head as boos ran out at Glanford Park.

But despite the poor start to the campaign, Knill was in reflective mood last night having had a recent lucky escape. The 47-year-old former Bury manager was riding his bike on Monday when he collided with the rodent, as the manager explained.

"It was quite serious at the time, I was flying through the air," Knill, who escaped with just cuts and bruises, told the BBC.

"I came off my bike at 20-whatever miles an hour, an ambulance was called and everything - I could have died.

"I saw it run into the road but couldn't do anything about it and it just hit my wheel and stuck in my wheel and hit my brakes. I went over the top of my bike and landed on my head, shoulder and neck.

"For a minute I thought I might have been in trouble because I landed on my head and then all of a sudden I thought: 'I'm not, I'm alive!'

"Fortunately my collar bone is okay but I am pretty bruised."

Knill added: "I'm worrying every night about football, but I could have been dead on Monday and it's so stupid. I'm not and you have to put things into perspective.

"The situation we're in at the moment, I don't cherish and I don't like being in, but there are worse situations."

Scunthorpe's next match is on Saturday against Sheffield United, where Knill will be hoping for a result that leaves him bright eyed and bushy tailed.