All professional footballers must have a fear of sustaining a career ending injury, more than anything else. On this day, April 8th 1996, Coventry defender David Busst had his playing days cut short, when he broke his leg during a match. The break was so bad that his bone ewas protruding through his skin and sock and it looked at one point that he may have to lose his leg. Some 26 operations later, although the doctors saved his leg, but could not save his career, as he was forced to hang up his boots at the age of 29.
"Dion Dublin was on his haunches with a gasped look on his face," recalls David Busst. "People told me Peter Schmeichel was physically sick on the pitch. I was lying there thinking 'somebody help me'."
It's the business end of the 1995-96 season. Having trailed Newcastle United by 12 points, Manchester United are on their way to a third Premier League title in four seasons. Home supporters are in high spirits for the visit of struggling Coventry City but just 87 seconds after kick-off the mood inside Old Trafford changes. The 50,332 fans fall silent after one of the most sickening injuries of the Premier League era. A header by Coventry's Noel Whelan is parried by goalkeeper Schmeichel into the path of defender Busst at the far post. "It landed perfectly for me inside the six-yard box," Busst tells BBC Sport. "I go for the ball and the next thing I'm lying flat on my back. "I must have been in shock because I was in this enormous pain and I didn't want to move." Schmeichel, who had saved Busst's attempt, could not bear to look and covered his face with his gloves after throwing the ball out of play so his stricken opponent could receive immediate treatment. Busst's right leg had been shattered in an unintentional collision with United's Denis Irwin and Brian McClair, who were trying to prevent the shot. McClair held his opponent's hand to comfort him as medical staff from both benches rushed on to the pitch. Play was stopped for nine minutes so Busst, who had joined Coventry from non-league Moor Green four years earlier, could be carried away on a stretcher, while blood from his open wound was cleaned off the grass using water and sand.
Players from both sides were visibly shaken while Busst's father, John, and brother, Paul, were at Old Trafford and watched in horror as the drama unfolded. "I couldn't hear 50,000 fans applauding me above the noise of my own screams," says Busst, who was 28 at the time. He never played professional football again.
Despite the injury, Coventry City has remained a huge part of Busst's life. Having taken up a role with the club's football in the community programme after his playing career was cut short, Busst, 56, has served the Sky Blues for more than half his life.
