Tuesday 9th May 2000 : Striker's professional career over?

Michael Kyd's professional career could be over after his latest knee injury. The striker is set to leave the club when his contract expires this summer, but physio Ken Steggles will work with him until he has reached a level of fitness after last month's recent operation to repair a badly torn cartilage.

Speaking to me for U's Net last month, Steggles reported ominously that Kyddie was "under rehabilitation for a very long term injury and I'll be working with him for most of the summer until we've got him swimming and cycling again."

Kyd, 23 later this month, was on schoolboy terms at Luton Town but served his YTS at United and signed his first professional contract almost exactly five years ago. A pacy striker with good close control and an eye for goal, he soon attracted attention from other clubs and scored 12 goals in the 1997-98 season, but the last two seasons were wrecked by injury. He managed just ten starts last season, plus another eight from the bench, and after a bright start this season he was restricted to 16 starts, scoring three goals.

Manager Roy McFarland told the Cambridge Evening News, "Sadly it looks like Michael's career could be over. He is still undergoing tests, but from what we've been told so far he wouldn't be able to continue playing at Division Two level and he has to think about his long-term welfare. If he carried on playing, I believe there is the danger he could be crippled.

"It's terrible, because he is such a talented footballer who, a couple of seasons ago, looked a real prospect for the top level. He's gone through a lot of operations, but each time the knee trouble has returned, and he suffers badly from swelling in his knees after games. There were times when we couldn't understand why he wasn't producing his best, but it was all down to the trouble he was having."

On Kyd's future career he commented, "I'm not sure if he will be able to play at a lower level, that's not clear at the moment. But it's a devastating blow for Michael and for Cambridge United."

As the CEN points out, 'Kyddie' is the longest serving member (continuously) in the current United squad but because of his knee problems was only able to play 124 matches in 6 years compared with Trevor Benjamin's 123 in two and a half seasons.

Michael is a popular figure among the fans and the shock was clear among members of Moosenet this afternoon when the news broke on the electronic mailing list. Several of the list members have clubbed together to sponsor Michael for the last three seasons and comments included, "I have always found Michael one of the most hospitable and friendly players. His face said it all on Saturday when I wished him well for the summer - he was obviously devastated by the bad news that he had been dreading", "It is sad to see him maybe having to retire at 23, I do hope he finds another club", and "I can only begin to think how awful he must be feeling at the moment".

I have added a guestbook to the site to allow fans to leave messages for Michael in the same way as for Andy Duncan earlier this season and I am sure he would appreciate some messages of support and appreciation of his time with the U's. You can leave your message here.