FA Trophy game abandoned after former Bournemouth player suffers serious injury

A serious injury to Wes Fogden led the match to be abandoned in the first half

Wes Fogden played for Bournemouth between 2011 and 2014 (Getty Images)

An FA Trophy tie between Basingstoke and Dorchester Town was abandoned due to a serious neck injury on Saturday.

Dorchester’s Wes Fogden, 37, went down under the challenge of a Basingstoke player in the 33rd minute, with there unconfirmed reports on social media that he had been caught with a knee to the head.

Fogden continued to receive treatment for the next six minutes before the game was suspended, with both sets of players heading down the tunnel.

Basingstoke said on their X account that the player had been safely transported into an ambulance.

Dorchester followed up with an update on Sunday, releasing a statement to clarify Fogden’s condition.

“Our FA Trophy game at Basingstoke FC yesterday was abandoned following a serious injury to Magpies player/coach Wes Fogden in the first half,” the statement read.

“Wes was conscious and talking as he was taken in to the ambulance, and scans in hospital yesterday evening have confirmed two fractured vertebrae in his neck, which will require a number of weeks in a neck collar.

“We will provide further updates on Wes' condition when we are able to.

“We would like to place on record our thanks to all Magpies and Basingstoke staff and players who helped look after Wes yesterday on the pitch before he was taken to hospital.

“From everyone at the club, we send our love and very best wishes to Wes for a full and speedy recovery.”

Fogden began his career at Brighton & Hove Albion, where he was loaned out to Dorchester twice before moving to the club on a permanent basis.

He then bounced around the lower rungs of the Football League at clubs including Bournemouth and Yeovil before rejoining Dorchester for the fourth time in 2024.

Dorchester Town have been contacted for comment by The Independent.