Ace Grealish boosts fund

Walthamstow captain Callum Ibe has seen his recovery fund boosted by a donation from Manchester City and England star Jack Grealish.

Ibe, 31, suffered a ruptured ACL during last weekend’s pre-season friendly against Broadbridge Heath. Injury struck with the midfielder just 13 games short of becoming the

Isthmian North outfit’s all-time record appear-arance maker.

Stow manager Max Mitchell immediately set up a crowd-funder to pay for Ibe’s treatment – and was stunned when Grealish, right, deposited £1,500.

The 30-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Everton, became e the most expensive Engllish footballer of all time when he made a £100m move from

Aston Villa to Manchester City in 2021.

Grealish won three consecutive Premier League titles and a Champions League crown at the Etihad. He has also won 39 caps for England and played at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Walthamstow club president Andy Perkins said: “Premier League footballers often get a bad press, so we’d like to put matters straight. “Callum is self employed and is f of not being able to work, let alone play. Max decided to set up a crowd funder to help him get treatment he needs to return to work and hopefully play those 13 games.

“Jack Grealish was one of the first to donate and, so far, his donation has been the largest.

“We still have a way to go but everyone at the club was touched by Jack’s contribution.

“We have no idea how he heard about it but we’re very thankful he did.”