FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED midfielder Alan Smith has revealed that the ambulance he was travelling in wasn’t attacked by Liverpool fans back in 2006.
The Premier League rivals met in an FA Cup tie at Anfield, when former England international Smith suffered a horrific injury – breaking his leg and dislocating his ankle while blocking a John Arne Riise free-kick in the final minute of the game.
It was widely reported that Reds supporters shook the ambulance and throw bottles and stones as the vehicle made its way out of the ground and to the hospital. However, Smith insists the incident never occurred.
“It didn’t happen – fans were still in the ground,” Smith told FourFourTwo magazine. “I went back to Liverpool a few years later with Newcastle and had a great reception.
I had loads of mail from fans after the injury, including a lot from Liverpool. And Liverpool’s medical staff were great. They were worried that because there was no blood flowing that I could have had a club foot.”
Smith, who is currently a player-coach with Notts County at the age of 34, doesn’t blame Riise but accepts the he never fully reached the same heights after the injury.
“It wasn’t Riise’s fault and he came to see me,” he added. “The dislocated ankle was worse than the leg break because I snapped ligaments and there were complications.
“I knew I was never going to be the same player. I’ve appreciated every game I’ve played since that injury, I know how close I was to being finished.”
