Herne Bay Football Club chairman Sam Callander stands down after being hit by van in Whitstable
18:46, 20 May 2023
updated: 19:18, 20 May 2023
A football club chairman has announced he is standing down after injuries he sustained when he was hit by a van left him unable to continue in the role.
Sam Callander, who had only recently been appointed to the job at Herne Bay FC, suffered a number of injuries when he was struck in Whitstable on May 11.
A man has since been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent in connection with the incident at the John Wilson Business Park.
In a statement released this afternoon, Mr Callander said: "Since the assault on me, I realise that with the injuries sustained, I have a very long period of recovery ahead of me and I believe I could not give the club the commitment it deserves.
"So, it is with a heavy heart that I am announcing I am stepping down as chairman of Herne Bay Football Club."
He added: "I am extremely pleased that Steve and Mark Lovell have agreed to be our management team, particularly as their appointment was agreed following my meeting with them on my last working day in office."
Mr Callander said vice-chairman John Bathurst would step up until a new chairman is appointed.
Paramedics and police, including armed officers, were called to the business park at about 9.20am on Thursday, May 11.
Staff at Achieving Clarity – a chartered accountancy firm on the business park – took care of Mr Callander in their office before emergency crews arrived.
“...it is with a heavy heart that I am announcing I am stepping down as chairman of Herne Bay Football Club."
A director of the firm, who asked only to be named as Christian, said: “He was outside our door holding his left leg and saying he was in a lot of pain.
“We helped him inside and took care of him while the paramedics were on their way.
“Armed police and paramedics showed up and the man’s family also arrived. At one point there were about 25 police officers in our office.”
Jamie Ingram has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The 48-year-old, of Joy Lane, Whitstable, was due to appear at Folkestone Magistrates' Court on Friday, May 12.
