Andy Little: ‘I don’t know when, or even if, I’ll fully recover from concussion’

Andy Little was knocked unconscious in the incident while playing for Kirkcaldy Kestrels in a Scottish National League game at Whitley Bay on October 4.

A self-employed electrician, he has been unable to work since, and still cannot drive.

After a lifetime spent in the sport - he iced past of Fife Flyers team between 2017 to 2024 - he is well aware of the risks players face in a fast, physical game

Little spoke out after learning that a season long ban on a Warriors’ player was cut to ten games on appeal.

He posted video of the footage on social media, taking the sport’s governing bodies to task for the way they handled the case.

“I was politely asked to take it down,” he said. “I politely declined.”

His anger is directed at Ice Hockey UK (IHUK) for not keeping him informed, and at the UK Ice Hockey Players Association (UKIHPA) which intervened and welcomed the lower punishment in its original statement, but failed to acknowledge the profound impact on the goalie - a position it rectified, stressing: “Our original announcement was intended to highlight the work we undertake as an independent players’ association and the representation we provide to our members. It was never our intention to cause upset, appear insensitive or diminish the seriousness of what anyone involved has experienced. We genuinely regret if our announcement came across in that way.”

But it simply added to Little’s frustration and anger.

He said: “I don’t want sympathy or carefully worded statements. I want accountability, transparency and genuine action to protect players from suffering the same consequences I am now facing.

“The consequences are something I’m still dealing with, and I don’t know when, or even if, I’ll fully recover.

“A specialist and my GP have said 100% not to play again this season and I am unlikely to do so again. There is a slight chance that if I recover then I could play but that is very unlikely.”

The 29-year old netminder has no memory of the actual hit.

“I was knocked out on the ice, and taken by ambulance to hospital,” he said. “My first recollection was seeing the video on the Monday or Tuesday afterwards. What I saw was shocking.” Little said the case was escalated as a serious review incident by the SIHA and forwarded to IHUK for consideration.

The SIHA does not publicly announced major suspensions, but the player, and Kestrels, were told unofficially the hit had led to a season long ban, which was being appealed.

“I got told in the dressing-room that it was on Facebook the ban had been reduced to ten games,” he said, “I couldn’t believe it. No-one could - and it was on social media before anyone was told about it.” While the administrative process followed its course, the player has had to try to come to terms with a serious concussion which has left him unable to work.

“It has been horrible,” he said, “I have not worked since. I can’t drive.

“For the first few days I was in my bed in a dark room because I couldn’t bear any light. This has affected my life and my work. For the first two or three weeks I couldn’t sleep. Every time I lay down, my head spun.

“I am used to being on skates - my balance has gone. Things you take for granted as a player you don’t appreciate until a hit like this happens.” A self employed electrician, he is also counting the financial cost of the injury.

“I have no income coming in. I’m going through the insurance process with the SIHA but that takes time.

“I was at a specialist - I went private so there is a cost there as well - and he is talking about a phased return to work. I can’t do full time.

“I hope to get started again soon and get appointments back in my book. A lot of customers have been let down and because I couldn’t give them any timescale of when I could turn up, they have gone elsewhere. This has had a massive impact.”

Little has had support from team-mates and across the sport - Adam’s Angels, an organisation set up following the tragic on-ice death of Nottingham Panthers’ player Adam Johnson, has been in touch, while former player Nick Rothwell, founder of ReTribe - which offers support e around challenges such as mental health and injury - has also reached out.

He stressed: “What some people seem to forget is it is not just about my injury., That was massive.

“For me it was the hit. Concussion or not, the hit was the same - how it can go from a season ban to ten games? That’s a huge difference. Most of that suspension has been served already and he can play again. I can’t.”

The SIHA and IHUK have been contacted for comment.

> A third party has launched an online fundraiser to support Andy. You can donate HERE