Darren Fletcher

[Pepe the Horseman]

Taking an extended break from football due to 'chronic inflammitory bowel problem'. Sounds nasty

[YateleyRoyal]

Not good. Apparently has had it for several years, and has just played through it.

Wonder how long an 'extended break' is?

[Pepe the Horseman]

Feck knows.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news ... nded-break

Manchester United have confirmed midfielder Darren Fletcher is to take an extend break from football due to health reasons.

The Scotland captain missed two months towards the end of last season due to illness and also sat out United's pre-season tour to North America.

He returned to action for his national team in September's Euro 2012 qualifiers and has gone on to make 10 appearances for the Red Devils this season.

However, Fletcher has been suffering from a chronic inflammatory bowel condition and the 27-year-old is to take a break from the game.

A United statement read: "On behalf of Darren Fletcher, Manchester United wishes to announce that he is taking an extended break from football for health reasons.

"Over the past year he has had several absence periods which we have attributed to a viral illness in order to respect his right to medical confidentiality. Darren has, in fact, been suffering from ulcerative colitis (a chronic inflammatory bowel condition) for some time preceding this.

"Whilst he was able to maintain remission of symptoms for a considerable period this has proved more difficult recently and Darren's continued desire to play and his loyalty to both his club and country has probably compromised the chances of optimising his own health and fitness.

"He has therefore accepted medical advice to take an extended break from the demands of training and playing in order to afford the best chance possible of achieving full remission once again.

"We request that his privacy is respected and hope that the removal of the additional stress associated with speculation regarding his health will also aid his recovery."

[TBM]

Always thought he was shit

[who are ya?]

RIP in peace

[Cobi]

I've got piles, and I'm still sat here at work. Some days it hurts to be sat here.

[Terminal Boardom]

Nasty.

Wiki says...

Ulcerative colitis (Colitis ulcerosa, UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) . Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis, a disease of the colon (large intestine), that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores. The main symptom of active disease is usually constant diarrhea mixed with blood, of gradual onset. IBD is often confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a troublesome, but much less serious, condition. Ulcerative colitis has similarities to Crohn's disease, another form of IBD. Ulcerative colitis is an intermittent disease, with periods of exacerbated symptoms, and periods that are relatively symptom-free. Although the symptoms of ulcerative colitis can sometimes diminish on their own, the disease usually requires treatment to go into remission.

Ulcerative colitis occurs in 35–100 people for every 100,000 in the United States,[1] or less than 0.1% of the population. The disease is more prevalent in northern countries of the world, as well as in northern areas of individual countries or other regions. Although ulcerative colitis has no known cause, there is a presumed genetic component to susceptibility. The disease may be triggered in a susceptible person by environmental factors. Although dietary modification may reduce the discomfort of a person with the disease, ulcerative colitis is not thought to be caused by dietary factors. Ulcerative colitis is treated as an autoimmune disease. Treatment is with anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppression, and biological therapy targeting specific components of the immune response. Colectomy (partial or total removal of the large bowel through surgery) is occasionally necessary, and is considered to be a cure for the disease.

[Jackson Corner]

Out for season massive blow for the empire. Fregie reckons sqaud strong enough. In truth no money to spend. Debt needs servicing plus the Glazers need a new running back for Tampa Bay and that is there number one priority.

[M-U-R-T-Y]

Fletcher and Vidic out for the season, ouch.

[Ian Royal]

Nasty.

cheers, I never looked at the pictures they took whilst investigating mine.

Not surprised he's taking time out, it's fecking debilitating, in even relatively mild cases. I went down to less than seven and a half stone with it. It can require surgery to remove parts of your bowel in some cases. Incurable, but it can be manageable and if you're lucky you can mostly live a normal life with very few attacks.

Best wishes to the poor bugger. He'll probably be shitting through the eye of a needle for a while. Hope he's got a comfy toilet seat.

[FiNeRaIn]

Got a feeling that might be the last we see of him on a football pitch. Solid pro, keeps his head down...no nonsense or drama despite being at a big club..the game needs more like him.

[Mr Angry]

Got a feeling that might be the last we see of him on a football pitch. Solid pro, keeps his head down...no nonsense or drama despite being at a big club..the game needs more like him.

+1

A loss not only to Man Utd but Scotland as well, but more importantly a dreadful disease for such a young bloke that will effect him and his family for the rest of his days.

[TBM]

more of a loss to Scotland rather than Utd tbf - as Fergie can simply go out and buy someone else when the insurance pays out whereas Scotland cant

[TheMaraudingDog]

more of a loss to Scotland rather than Utd tbf - as Fergie can simply go out and buy someone else when the insurance pays out whereas Scotland cant

How much insurance money do you think we'll get then?

[swansea jack]

more of a loss to Scotland rather than Utd tbf - as Fergie can simply go out and buy someone else when the insurance pays out whereas Scotland cant

How much insurance money do you think we'll get then?

GBP37,374

[Franchise FC]

more of a loss to Scotland rather than Utd tbf - as Fergie can simply go out and buy someone else when the insurance pays out whereas Scotland cant

How much insurance money do you think we'll get then?

None util he officialy 'retires' is my guess.

[soggy biscuit]

more of a loss to Scotland rather than Utd tbf - as Fergie can simply go out and buy someone else when the insurance pays out whereas Scotland cant

How much insurance money do you think we'll get then?

GBP37,374

[FiNeRaIn]

more of a loss to Scotland rather than Utd tbf - as Fergie can simply go out and buy someone else when the insurance pays out whereas Scotland cant

How much insurance money do you think we'll get then?

Immagine if it does happen that it would be based on his contractual earnings and length of his deal. But not honestly sure if there would be a case for that.

[Cobi]

more of a loss to Scotland rather than Utd tbf - as Fergie can simply go out and buy someone else when the insurance pays out whereas Scotland cant

How much insurance money do you think we'll get then?

Immagine if it does happen that it would be based on his contractual earnings and length of his deal. But not honestly sure if there would be a case for that.

Don't they also consider estimated future earnings? I would hope that as a pro they would look at you playing until you were say 35, and then take an average of your wages with perhaps a sligh decrease as you reach 30 to 35. Or as you say, based only on the remainder of your contract, which would suck if you only had 6-18 months left.

[Royal Rother]

I appreciate the fact that you can insure against virtually anything if the premium is right but logically I would have thought a club should get bugger all pay out (apart from perhaps ongoing wages covered for a period of time) if a player suffers an illness that results in him not being able to play.

The player should take out his own disability insurance to cover potential loss of earnings over the remainder of a career.

But I'm probably wrong as the logic of insurance passes me by sometimes.