Kidderminster Harriers’ match against Radcliffe in the National League North was abandoned on Saturday afternoon due to a worrying incident. Goalkeeper Christian Dibble and right-back Joe Foulkes, both team-mates for Kiddy, were taken away from Stainton Park in an ambulance following the English sixth-tier match being brought to an abrupt end late in the second half. The pair sustained head injuries and were rushed to hospital for further medical treatment.
Dibble remained on the ground for some time and received assistance from both clubs’ medical teams. A coming-together left the keeper down and forced a break in play. Radcliffe wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “This afternoon’s game has been abandoned due to an injury to Kidderminster goalkeeper, Christian Dibble. We wish him a very speedy recovery.”
They added in a follow-up post: “Some things are bigger than the game we all love. Kidderminster’s Christian Dibble and Joe Foulkes have both been taken away in an ambulance. We’d like to thank the emergency services for their quick response, and wish both players a healthy recovery.”
In their own social media posts, Harriers wrote: “There’s a stoppage in play as Christian Dibble has come for a free kick and taken a fairly heavy landing. He’s getting some treatment.
“We’re up to 81 minutes of match time but no idea as yet as to whether the game will continue and, if it does, we’ll have a huge chunk to add on. Only real concern right now is big Dibbs who is still down getting treatment from the medical teams after taking a heavy landing.”
Confirming the abandonment, they added: “Saturday’s game at Radcliffe has been abandoned due to an injury to Christian Dibble. There is no further information at this stage – all thoughts and love with the big man for a quick recovery.”
They later confirmed that Dibble and Foulkes were taken to hospital, both with head injuries. Harriers said: “Both players were conscious. We’d like to thank the medical teams of both Harriers and Radcliffe for their impeccable work in treating both boys.”
Kiddy and Radcliffe were drawing 1-1 before the game was ended early. Owen Evans had equalised for the away side before half-time after striker Rio Clegg scored his 22nd goal of the season to put The Boro ahead.
With the match incomplete, Kiddy remain third in the National League North table, 18 points adrift of second-placed South Shields. They have played two games fewer than their play-off rivals and three fewer than Merthyr Town below them in third, also on 66 points.
Radcliffe are 11th on 56 points, with a six-point gap to the playoffs. Only the title winners – with AFC Fylde currently top – automatically earn promotion to the National League. The second team promoted is determined via the playoffs, with six teams qualifying and playing out quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final.
The final takes place at the home ground of the finalist who finished highest in the league table during the regular season.
Kiddy were last in the National League in 2023-24 while they finished third in the lower division last season but lost in the semi-finals of the playoffs. Radcliffe won the Northern Premier League Premier Division title in 2024 and have never played as high as the National League.