Kidderminster Harriers’ match against Radcliffe in the National League North was called off on Saturday afternoon due to an alarming incident. Kiddie’s team-mates, goalkeeper Christian Dibble and right-back Joe Foulkes, were taken by ambulance from Stainton Park after the English Sixth Division game ended abruptly late in the second half. Both suffered head injuries and were taken to hospital for further treatment.
Dibble remained at the ground for some time and was assisted by both clubs’ medical teams. In the 78th minute, the keeper fell during a scramble and play was forced to be stopped. “Due to an injury to Kidderminster goalkeeper Christian Dibble, this afternoon’s game has been called off. We wish him a speedy recovery,” Radcliffe wrote on Twitter.
In a follow-up post they added: “Some things are bigger than the game we all love. Kidderminster’s Christian Dibble and Joe Foulkes were both taken away by ambulance. We would like to thank the emergency services for their quick response and wish both players a healthy recovery.”
In a post on their social media, Harriers wrote: “Play was stopped as Christian Dibble came for a free kick and landed quite hard. He is receiving treatment.”
“With 81 minutes left in the game, it remains to be seen whether the game will continue. If it does, it will require a significant extra point. The only real concern at the moment is the big Dibbs, who is down after a hard landing and is still being treated by the medical team.”
Confirming the abandonment of the match, the club added: “Saturday’s game at Radcliffe has been called off due to an injury to Christian Dibble. We have no further information at this stage. Our thoughts and love go to the big man as he makes a speedy recovery.”
It was later confirmed that Mr Dibble and Mr Foulkes were taken to hospital with head injuries. The Harriers said, “Both players were conscious. We would like to thank the Harriers and Radcliffe medical teams for their efforts in treating both boys.”
Kidderminster manager Adam Murray said after the game: “I think the real credit goes to all the medical staff on site and the way the physiotherapists handled the situation, because that’s not good and they were great at getting there quickly.”
Kiddie and Radcliffe were tied 1-1, but the match ended early. Striker Rio Clegg scored his 22nd goal of the season to put The Boro ahead, before Owen Evans equalized for the visitors before half-time.
With the game still unfinished, Kiddie remain in third place in the National League North, 18 points behind second-placed South Shields. They have played two fewer games than their playoff rival and three fewer than Mercer Town, which also ranks third with 66 points.
Radcliffe are in 11th place with 56 points, six points out of the play-offs. Only title winners, including current leaders AFC Fylde, automatically earn promotion to the National League. The second team to be promoted will be determined by a play-off, with six teams qualifying for the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
The final will take place at the home base of the finalist who finished top of the league table during the regular season.
The Kiddies finished last in the National League in 2023-24 and finished third in the lower division last season, but lost in the semifinals of the playoffs. Radcliffe won the Northern Premier League Premier Division title in 2024 but has never played at a level as high as the National League.
