Keane Harrison, 23, was playing in the cup final 2024 against Macclesfield FC when she sustained an injury to her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus ligament.  

Harrison, from Chester, was told that due to NHS waiting lists the earliest she would be able to have her reconstructive surgery would be next year – meaning she would miss out on two seasons for Nantwich Ladies FC.  

The NTSIA player of the season started playing for Nantwich Ladies in August 2023, after returning from a four-year football scholarship in America.  

Harrison admits the joining the club enabled her to find her passion for football again after struggling with the competitiveness in the States.  

She said: "I came back and wanted to find a team that would have a supportive environment and something that I could just enjoy football again – I kind of lost my love for football a bit. 

"But playing for Nantwich has brought me back to when I was a kid, and I just loved football." 

(Image - Staci Lee Hocknell)

Harrison hopes to have her required surgery and to be back playing for Nantwich Ladies soon.  

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"If I waited to get NHS surgery, I would have to be off for two seasons," she said.  

"Hopefully if I can get my surgery privately as soon as possible I will be back for next season. 

"I want to be the number nine, solid person that the team can rely on like I was last season and hopefully I can score lots of goals again." 

Harrison was open about the impact being out of the game has had on her emotionally.  

"My mental health is so much better when I am playing football."  

If you have been touched by Keane's story and would like to donate to her GoFundMe page, please see the link here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nantwich-town-fc-keanes-acl-reconstruction-surgery  

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