A RUGBY-playing dad whose horror injury ended his dream of becoming self-employed is warning amateur sportspeople to get insured.

Rhyl Rugby Club's Ashley Bishop, 38, says his dream of becoming a self-employed electrician has been dashed before it truly began after the life-changing injury in a friendly match.

Ashley, a first team player last season, had stepped back from playing and left his job at US energy giant GE Vernovato to set up his own business as an electrician - a move he made to spend ore time with his children Charlie, six and Freddie, two.

But when he was invited to bring some experience to Rhyl's development team in a friendly, he didn't think twice. 

"There are a few young lads new to the game and a few older lads in there who haven't played for years, so including some experienced players helps give them some shape and order and helps them along, I thought nothing of it," said Ashley.

But that all changed with one tackle.

"I went in for a tackle and the player fell awkwardly," he said. "Unfortunately my studs stick in the ground and the angle he went over dislocated and shattered my ankle.

"It was a freak accident, the guy couldn't help how he fell, it was just one of those things."

Facing a five-hour wait for an ambulance, one of the coaches took him to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

"The staff there were great," he said. "It didn't start great as for three days I was in a corridor in A&E, but that's not the staff's fault. The doctors, nurses and surgeons were all amazing and I can't praise them highly enough."

Despite all that however, Ashley is facing multiple surgeries and has had to let go of his dream of becoming an electrician.

"I had left my corporate job in contracts management because I wanted to spend more time with my family," said Ashley. "But now I will have to go back to it because I won't be able to work as an electrician.

"I need fusion surgery so my ankle will have limited movement. That means getting into all the nooks and crannies you need to as an electrician won't be possible."

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The rugby community has quickly rallied round Ashley, Rhyl under 7s coach Tom Cahill setting up a Gofundme here which has raised £2,340 in just a week.   

"I coach the U7s with Ash and also play touch rugby with him on a Friday so I know him well. I moved to Rhyl from Warrington recently and joined the club 18 months ago and Ash was really welcoming. 

"I knew he was working on this new business and when this freak injury happened I knew we needed to help him so I set up the Gofundme. 

"The whole rugby community is supporting him and it's amazing. One person donated a motability scooter so Ash doesn't get isolated during his rehab and we've got volunteers taking him to appointments and helping him with shopping.

"We're all pulling together for him because he's a great guy and we all know, if it were any of us, he would 100% be doing the same for us."

Ashley is already using his injury to warn other amateur athletes to make sure they have sports insurance.

"It's been amazing to see all the messages of support," he said. "People have been so kind. I've had messages from players I've never met wishing me well, it's amazing.

"One thing I'm telling everyone though is you need to make sure you have your own insurance," he said. "I was unlucky. My policy had expired and I was going to renew it the week after I was injured. 

"Sports insurance means if you are self employed or you only get statutory sick pay your wages will be made up - meaning you can pay the mortgage or rent and put food on the table. 

"Even if you do get full pay while sick, it can give you a bit extra to help you through rehab and treatment and it's not expensive. When we are young we all feel invincible but we're not - but so many people across all sports simply don't bother with insurance. 

"Right now if I can convince one person to get themselves insured, I'll be happy. I was Whatsapping from the hospital corridor to the lads, telling them to get it sorted!"

 For now, Ashley is focusing on his recovery.

"The big surgery is coming in about six weeks and hopefully if that goes well that is it and I can focus on rehab and trying to secure a job back in the corporate world.

"I've invested so much in a van, training and tools to become a certified electrician so I'm gutted. But I may see if I can keep my hand in in my spare time and who knows, I might be able to follow that path yet."