 Casper has won damages in an out-of-court settlement |
Former Reading defender Chris Casper has secured undisclosed damages in an out-of-court settlement over the tackle which ended his playing career. Casper suffered a double fracture to his leg while playing for the Royals against Cardiff on 26 December, 1999.
He claimed damages for past and future loss of earnings and pain and suffering from Cardiff and their former player Richard Carpenter, now at Brighton.
"It's a matter of great relief that this has been settled," Casper said.
Casper, now 28, began his career at Manchester United, and spent time on loan at Bournemouth and Swindon before joining Reading in September 1998.
Son of Burnley legend Frank Casper, he now coaches the reserve and youth teams at Third Division side Bury.
He added: "The tackle and the injuries I sustained changed the course of my life and, inevitably, there have been some difficult times for my family and me.
"I would like to thank those people who have supported me throughout this difficult time, particularly my wife Karen, parents and close family.
 |  I do not see this successful claim opening a floodgate of litigious action by footballers and other sportsmen |
"I would also like to extend my gratitude to my fellow football colleagues, particularly Sir Alex Ferguson, Gary Neville, Tommy Burns and Manchester United, and to my legal team, the experts and everyone who helped on the case." "I'm now coaching with Bury and enjoying the second chance that football has given me."
His lawyer, Jan Levinson, also acted for ex-Bradford player Gordon Watson, who won �950,000 in damages in a civil action against Huddersfield Town and defender Kevin Gray in 1999 from a tackle two years earlier when he was 25.
Levinson said: "The award reflects the extent of Chris' career potential as a professional footballer before he sustained severe injuries as a result of the challenge four years ago.
"Although Chris obviously wishes that he had not sustained the injury, given the circumstances, we are delighted with the outcome and that, in the end, the case didn't have to go to court.
"Thankfully, injuries of this magnitude are not a common occurrence on the football pitch, so I do not see this successful claim opening a floodgate of litigious action by footballers and other sportsmen."
In February this year, ex-Charlton midfielder Matt Holmes received �250,000 in damages at the High Court for the tackle by Kevin Muscat in February 1998 - when Holmes was 28 - that ended his professional career.
MMIX
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