Mick Channon recovering well after road crash

1:41pm Tuesday 2nd September 2008

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SAINTS legend Mick Channon is expected to make a full recovery following a crash that claimed the life of his friend.

Mr Channon, 59, who was born in Shrewton, and his son Jack, 15, were injured after the car they were travelling in left the southbound carriageway of the M1 near Kegworth in Leicestershire and ploughed into a tree just after 4.15pm last Wednesday.

Racing agent and friend of Mr Channon 63-year-old Tim Corby, of Berkshire, died in the crash.

Mr Channon, who became a successful race horse trainer after retiring from football, spent the night in intensive care after suffering broken ribs, a broken arm, a fractured jaw and a punctured lung.

He underwent surgery last Friday to pin bones in his arm and have his jaw rewired and has since moved to Park Hospital, a private unit in Nottingham.

He is said to be making good progress.

His son, Jack, was left "battered and bruised" but was not seriously injured.

Mr Channon's brother, Michael, a video producer, said: "We have been petrified and worried and absolutely out of our wits worrying about our own family. But as for the Corbys, our hearts really go out to them."

Mr Channon was raised in Orcheston near Salisbury Plain and made his debut for Southampton Football Club in 1966 as a 17-year-old.

He was part of the 1976 FA Cup- winning side alongside Salisbury City boss Nick Holmes.

Mr Channon went on to play for Manchester City, Bristol Rovers and Norwich City before retiring from football in 1986.

He became a fully licensed trainer in 1990, starting with ten horses at a yard in Lambourn but moved in 1999 to West Ilsley in Newbury - a yard once owned by the Queen.

In 2002 he topped the 100-winner mark for the first time, ending the season with 123 winners. Among owners who have had their horses with Channon are old colleagues and friends from his footballing days including Kevin Keegan, Sir Alex Ferguson and the late Alan Ball.