Broken neck won't stop dedicated Tigers fan from going to Wembley

A Hull City fan who broke his neck while celebrating the Tigers' first-leg win over Watford has vowed to travel to Wembley, despite wearing a neck-brace screwed into his skull.

John Adams, 34, of Curlew Close, Bransholme, snapped one bone and bent another in his neck after slipping on the grass as he danced around a paddling pool at a family party to celebrate the Tigers' win over Watford last Sunday.

The season ticket holder must now wear a halo neck brace – a metal ring secured to the skull with pins and two metal rods for the next 12 weeks.

Today, the father-of-four said despite the pain, nothing could keep him from cheering on his team at Wembley.

He said: “It's devastating to have had this accident, but I've been told I was millimetres away from paralysing myself so I have been really lucky.

“I had to miss the second-leg home game on Wednesday even though I had tickets, and that was a killer, but nothing will stop me going to Wembley.”

Mr Adams should have been at the Watford first-leg match, however being self-employed could not afford to take the time off work, so chose to watch the game at a friend's house instead.

He said: “I just couldn't afford the time off so I watched the game on TV.

“After the final whistle we were celebrating in the garden and I just slipped on the wet grass next to the paddling pool and hit my head on the ground.

“I didn't even realise what I had done. I just had pins and needles, but my wife, Jayne, insisted we went to hospital.”

Mr Adams got his Wembley ticket on Saturday afternoon thanks to his wife queuing through the night.

He is also travelling to the game on the official supporters bus with his wife and son Dillan, 10, and two nephews, Jordan, 16, and Callum, 15.

Mr Adams adopted his nephews in 2006 after the boys' father, his cousin Shaun died, five years after their mother Sarah died, both from Sudden

Adult Death Syndrome.

Mr Adams said: “It is a shame we can't all sit together. I'll have to sit in the disabled area with my wife, and the kids will have to sit in another area with our friends, which is really disappointing, but at least we have all got tickets.”

The family have also missed out on a holiday to Egypt that was booked for Thursday, June 29.

They have lost £4,000 after paying for the holiday in full and are unable to claim the money back on their holiday insurance which came into effect from Tuesday, May 13 – two days after the accident.

Mr Adams added: “It feels like we've had a spell of bad luck, we were also flooded and only moved back into our house in February.

“We've been through a lot as a family, but we get through it together.

“We're all really looking forward to the match, nothing will beat that.”

Mr Adams' mum, Barbara Young, of Lapwing Close, Bransholme, said: “I was devastated when I found out about the accident.

“John has gone through such a lot, then this happens when he was enjoying himself with the kids.

“I'm worried about how he will get down to Wembley. It's so uncomfortable for him.

“But he was determined not to miss the match.”

Rob Smith, marketing manager at the KC Stadium said Mr Adams deserves special credit for being so determined to back the Tigers.

He said: “We admire the gentleman's courage and his superb support.

“It's a day people don't want to miss, but given his circumstances I think he deserves special credit.

”We hope he has a great day and makes a full recovery.”