Former Sunderland defender Paddy Almond is not out of the woods, but in a stable condition after picking up a bleed on the brain during Darlington's FA Trophy defeat to Southend. The former Black Cats trainee was taken off after 58 minutes, in just his third appearance for the club, less than a month after returning to fitness from a serious car crash last year.
Almond was on loan at Blyth Spartans at the time of the crash, only returning to football with Shildon in November after six months out injured. The defender was taken to The Royal London Hospital where he is being observed by medical staff to assess whether the player will need an operation. Now, fans of the club are rallying to show their support and have started a fund raiser in order to support him in his recovery.
READ MORE: Ex-Sunderland defender Paddy Almond suffers bleed on the brain in Darlington's FA Trophy defeat
