An update has been given on an injured goalkeeper after a pre-season friendly on Saturday is paused for nearly an hour.
After Aaron Drinan had put the League Two outfit ahead, the game was stopped, with the Robins posting via their social media at 12:21pm:
“Supermarine Goalkeeper Luke Purnell is receiving medical treatment after going down with a head injury following Swindon’s goal.
“Play is still currently suspended as we wait for an ambulance to arrive.
“We will be sure to provide supporters with an update as soon as we have one.
“Once again we’d like to send all our support to Luke. ❤️”
The experienced 35 year old Luke Purnell ended up being stretchered off the pitch with the game resuming 15 minutes later.
At 12:58pm, Swindon Supermarine wrote: “Luke has been extricated from the pitch and into our medical room.
“Thank you to Swindon’s medical staff for their help, and thank you to everyone for your patience.
“It is much appreciated. 💙”
As reported by Swindon Advertiser, Purnell had collided with his fellow defender and fell to ground, leading to medical staff making their way on and looking at him.
Town boss Ian Holloway announced to the crowd through the tannoy that an ambulance had been called, speaking of concerns that Purnell may have a serious injury.
Play is still currently suspended as we wait for an ambulance to arrive.
We will be sure to provide supporters with an update as soon as we have one.
Once again we’d like to send all our support to Luke. ❤️ https://t.co/gLjfPngwrF
— Swindon Town Football Club (@Official_STFC) July 4, 2026
The game underway again at 1:11pm, Swindon Town saying: “As a result of the break in play, when play resumes we’ll now be playing two 30 minutes halves.”
Drinan completed his hat-trick with two goals before half time. Ollie Palmer grabbed his side’s fourth of the game 15 minutes before full time.
Speedy recovery, LP. 💙#swindonsupermarine pic.twitter.com/P06fI8KHBa
— Swindon Supermarine (@SupermarineFC) July 4, 2026
Swindon friendly delayed after goalkeeper suffers potentially serious injury https://t.co/FJgkgQiRMt
— Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) July 4, 2026
@acklamjoe said in a post-match video for @AdverSport: “I hope Luke Purnell’s okay.
“Speaking to people after the game, it sounds like it’s not as bad as it could have been.
“There’s no sort of spine damage or anything.
“They were able to get him up and walk him to a car after doing a lot of checks and speaking to people in the hospital so I think he’s going to be okay but obviously best wishes to him.”
Post-match thoughts after Town began pre-season with a 4-0 win over Supermarine #STFC pic.twitter.com/zkVcTVWjmA
— Adver Sport Desk (@AdverSport) July 4, 2026
Social media users gave their reaction after an update given on an injured goalkeeper after a pre-season friendly on Saturday is paused for nearly an hour…
Kim Young: Last we heard he had a fractured skull but managed to walk
@scot_munroe: Hope Luke Purnell is okay, looked a nasty head/neck injury. #stfc
@PaulCottle: Hard not to argue why there’s not one there in the first place for any type of injury that may happen
@jettight19: Hope the keeper gets a speedy recovery and nice for the players to get match fitness up after not playing for a while ❤️
@Everythinstfc24: been told he’s up and walking now
@jettight19: That’s good to hear after seeing him on the floor for a while
@stfcjosh: Hope he has a speedy recovery and is ok ❤️🤍
@ftblojn1: Hope he makes a speedy recovery❤️
@MlKE_83: Speedy recovery Luke
@helens1734: Sounds horrible. Hope he’s ok
Carolyn Sarson: Hope he ok speedy recovery from stfc fan
Sharon Bradshaw: Its awful to see that happening I hope he makes a full recovery. I really hope he is ok, never nice to see any player seriously injured. Well hosted game as ever 👏 STFC
Ray Watts: Just taken him into the changing rooms on a stretcher, still no sign of an ambulance, fair play to all the Marine and Swindon staff who helped and Ollie has been with him a fair bit, fingers crossed he will be ok and hopefully the Club,( Swindon) give us an update in the next few days and good news
Jamie Sprules: Didn’t see what happened but wish him a speedy recovery
Teresa Carter: This was so sad to witness, wishing him a speedy recovery…
Dave Swindon: Speedy recovery mate
Ross Leahy: From a Swindon town fan hope your keeper is ok sounds like a nasty injury
@GarveyKelly: Wicked day at Supermarine to watch @Official_STFC wishing the Supermarine goalie a speedy recovery. Looking forward to the new season #COYR
@jettight19: Glad to hear Luke was able to walk to a car I thought he would of been taken in a stretcher to it speedy recovery to him
Jason Lee: wishing him a speedy recovery, sounds like a horrid one for him and those watching on
