A TALE from the non-league scene highlights the gulf between life at opposite ends of the football spectrum.

They play the same game at the bottom of the pyramid as as they do at the top, but the consequences of serious injuries are starkly contrasting.

Stuart Howson, a defender at Bamber Bridge who play in the UniBond Division One North, broke his leg in a game at Wakefield last month and faces a lengthy lay-off from his job as a trainee PE teacher at a private school, where his wages stopped after just two weeks’ absence.

Bamber Bridge are aiming to help him out by staging a friendly against local rivals Chorley next Tuesday, when former players of both clubs – including a host of ex-professionals – will turn out for Howson’s benefit.

The match kicks off at 7pm and the cause could hardly be more worthy.