Anthony Gordon says the injuries he suffered when thrown ‘10 feet in the air’ from his bike could have been much worse — and has vowed to celebrate with the stabilisers given to him by Mail Sport if he scores on Sunday.
The England winger had a lucky escape when he went over the handlebars of his electric bike at the team’s Blankenhain base this week.
Gordon has grazes on his chin, legs, arms and hands but he is fine to feature in the last-16 tie against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen.
The 23-year-old saw the funny side when we gave him stabilisers and a crash helmet on Friday, but he admits he has been very fortunate.
‘I could have been (seriously hurt) with the speed I was going down a hill,’ said Gordon.
‘I could have ended up anywhere. It was on the golf course and I’ve managed to land on the only bit of gravel there was. I was surrounded by grass and managed to land on the gravel. So, I’m really lucky in some instances, and unlucky in some others.’
Anthony Gordon admits the injuries he suffered when thrown ‘10 feet in the air’ from his bike could have been much worse, as he bids to make an impact for England in Sunday’s last-16 tie
Anthony Gordon was given a pair of cycling stabilisers ahead of a press conference on Friday
The gift, which the England winger promises to use as part of his celebration if he scores against Slovakia on Sunday, came from Mail Sport photographer Kevin Quigley (right)
He added: ‘We went on what was meant to be a recovery bike ride. It was a lovely day, I was going down a hill, trying to take a quick video for my family, just to show them what I was doing. Before I knew it, I was head-first into the floor.
‘They are electric, so they are faster than normal bikes and, in England, the front brake is on the right-hand side. Here, I tried to press the left (brake) just to slow down and, next minute, it has not slowed down, it has fully come to a stop… and I haven’t! I have gone 10 feet in the air, chin first!
‘The thing was, because I was on my phone I didn’t know I was falling off until I hit the floor. I was just focused on my phone. I think the moral of the story is that we spend too much time on our phones these days, just enjoy the moment without a phone!’
What did Gareth Southgate think?
‘He laughed at first, just like everyone else did,’ said Gordon. ‘It was a bit of a joke. It wasn’t too serious, just a few scratches. I’ll get back on though, I won’t let that bother me. It was a lovely day, I just ruined it for myself!’
Gordon is likely to start from the bench on Sunday, despite his eye-catching cameo during Tuesday’s draw with Slovenia. So, will there be a bike-themed celebration if he finds the net? ‘I’ll put them stabilisers next to the pitch, so you lot will get credit for the celebration,’ he laughed. ‘I’ll do it. You’ve got my word.’
There has been a clamour for Gordon to start among media and England supporters, and the player believes his fast and direct style can help the team.
‘I know I am a nightmare for anyone that I play against,’ he said. ‘I’m positive. Every time I get the ball, I always look to make something happen. I’m not a very safe player, I am always going for it, trying to put people on the back foot.
The 23-year-old looked sharp in training and will be hoping to get some game time on Sunday
‘With players we have got — the likes of H (Harry Kane), who likes to drop deep — I think I add a different element to the team. It (my style) brings a sense of unpredictability. I know how hard I am to play against, I can feel it.
‘I want to play. I want to perform on the biggest stage. That comes from my self-belief. I feel I can impact any game in a positive way. I’m giving my best to cause headaches for selection and that’s all I can do. The rest is out of my control.’
Finding stabilisers was not that easy! says Nik Simon
Most bike stores in Erfurt do not sell stabilisers. German parents, they say, prefer to throw their children in at the deep end by sending out their beloved on two wheels.
So it was a welcome relief when Mail Sport photographer Kevin Quigley and myself stumbled upon a set of 16-18inch training wheels on Friday morning at the Decathlon store on the edge of Erfurt.
We were pencilled in for England’s customary player vs media darts competition that takes place before every media session at the team’s quiet base in the German countryside.
After accepting his gift from photographer Quigley, Gordon beat Mail Sport journalist Nik Simon in a quick game of darts at England’s Euro 2024 headquarters in Blankenhain, Germany
Gordon had trained with his England team-mates shortly before Friday’s press conference
Anthony Gordon was the latest star put up for the challenge and, after his tumble on a bike ride this week, it felt like a perfect chance to crack a couple of jokes at his expense.
His palms were too tender for a proper handshake but the good-humoured attacker accepted the €17.99 stabilisers and €32.99 bike helmet in fine spirits from Quigley.
‘I’ll keep these by the pitch and bring them out for a celebration if I score,’ joked Gordon, whilst team-mate Cole Palmer poked his head around the corner with a wide grin.
Unfortunately for myself, Gordon’s darts were better than his cycling and he beat me with ease. Let’s hope he keeps up the winning run against Slovakia this weekend!
