Battling Centurion won't be beaten

Reid, 28, underwent an operation in December 2014 after sustaining a similar injury to his right knee. Now he faces another operation on his left knee after being injured during an indoor six-a-side training session in January while he was still trying to regain his fitness.

When he was last injured, Reid was treated privately with Steve Abbley, chairman of the EVO-STIK League Southern Premier Division's Centurions, footing the bill. But this time round he must rely on the NHS and cannot see a surgeon until the end of September.

However, he is determined to return to playing as soon as possible and while recovering from the next operation, he intends to work towards coaching badges to fulfill his eventual dream of managing.

After hearing the news last week, he told www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk: “I am totally gutted by the news and just hope I don’t need a complete reconstruction like I had with the right knee. While waiting for the results of the latest scan I have been saying to myself that if it is another ACL, that’s the end of me as a footballer.

“But I intend to stay positive and never say never. I want to get back playing. I’m naturally fit and I always believed I could play on until my mid-30s. During the next spell of rehab I intend to start my coaching badges as I would love to be a manager one day.”

Reid, who was offered the chance to come and join in at training by Cinderford Town joint-manager Chris Burns only days before the blow, added: “It was nice of Burnsey to ask me but there is no chance of that now. In any case, I would always only really want to play for Cirencester Town. I want to play forever and if I could get back in six months that would be a massive.”