Club prays for footballer after car hit group

A football club has said it is hoping and praying for one of its players left "fighting for his life" after a car struck pedestrians in a town centre in Nottinghamshire.

Nottinghamshire Police said one man suffered life-threatening injuries and remained critically ill in hospital. Four other men were hurt when they were hit by a Vauxhall Astra in Market Place, Arnold, shortly before 01:10 BST on Saturday.

Woodthorpe Park Rangers, a non-league club in Nottinghamshire, said its end of season awards celebrations ended in "complete heartbreak" after three members of its team, including the manager, were hit by a car.

A 40-year-old man has been detained on suspicion of attempted murder.

In a statement on social media, Woodthorpe Park Rangers said the club celebrated its end of season awards on Friday, and a "lovely evening ended up in complete heartbreak".

It said one of its players was "fighting for his life" in hospital, while the other two players were "recovering well" with small injuries.

"We are hoping and praying for our player who is a much-loved lad by all. We are supporting each other the best we can.

"We are all clearly struggling right now, and are asking for privacy and respect, so we can get our heads around what has happened, this is a heartbreaking and awful time for the club.

"We thank you for all the well wishes and support," the statement added.

The force said it was believed the car was driven at the group following an altercation in the town centre.

Police said the driver abandoned the car and left the scene, adding counter-terrorism officers were not involved in its investigations and there was "no indication" of "any ongoing threat to the wider public".

Det Ch Insp Ruby Burrow, who is leading the investigation, previously said: "We would ask that people do not speculate about the circumstances around the incident and respect the privacy of those involved.

"Our investigation remains ongoing and we are keeping an open mind while these extensive inquiries continue."

A cordon was in place at Market Place, and the junctions from Gedling Road to Derby Street, Hallams Lane and Central Avenue, for most of Saturday.

Michael Payne, MP for Gedling, told the BBC at the scene: "We're a tight-knit community in Arnold.

"My best wishes go to the individuals who've been hurt in the incident and I seriously hope that the said individual who's got life-threatening injuries makes a recovery. My thoughts are with them and their family."

Payne attended the scene alongside Gedling Borough Council leader John Clarke.

Clarke spoke of a need for barriers along the road, adding the borough council had previously called for the road to be blocked off to traffic.

Anyone with dashcam, CCTV, doorbell or mobile phone footage has been urged to contact police.

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