PEOPLE of Clutton are pulling together to support ‘much-loved’ youth football coach Matty Durbin, who faces a long and painful recovery following a serious accident while abroad.

Matty, a dedicated volunteer and coach of Clutton FC’s Under-10s team, fell from a balcony while on a trip to Spain, sustaining multiple fractures to his pelvis and back. He remains in Spain, unable to travel home, and is expected to face an extended period of recovery.

Well known in the local football scene, Matty is regarded as a role model by players, parents, and fellow coaches alike. As a self-employed electrician, he now faces considerable financial strain, with no income during his recovery and mounting expenses overseas. He also has a partner and two young children at home.

A fundraising campaign has been launched to help the Durbin family cover a range of costs — including travel expenses for family members, repatriation costs when Matty is well enough to return, household support during his recovery, and any mobility aids or rehabilitation services he may need.

In addition to his coaching, Matty has previously sponsored youth football kits and stepped in to support others in times of difficulty. Friends and supporters describe him as a “genuine community hero” who has never asked for anything in return.

The local football community is now calling on supporters to rally around Matty and his family, as he has done for so many others.

A member of Matty’s family said: “At times like this, the football family is at its strongest - pulling together, standing by one of our own, and showing just how powerful community can be. Let’s do what we can for Matty.”

To donate or find out more, visit the official fundraiser page online: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-matty-durbin-local-youth-football-coach