West Bromwich Albion’s head coach, Ryan Mason, expressed a sense of “mixed emotions” as he prepares to return to Hull City on Saturday, remembering the incident that prematurely ended his playing career almost a decade ago.
In January 2017, Mason suffered a fractured skull after a head collision with Chelsea’s Gary Cahill during a Premier League match. Following extensive surgery, he was compelled to retire just over a year later at the young age of 25.
Now, he is set to lead his team onto the field at the very location where it all changed for him, a moment he described as deeply emotional during an interview with BBC Radio WM.
“There are many cherished memories from my time there, even though it didn’t conclude as I had hoped, so I reflect on it with mixed emotions,” he stated.
“The club was phenomenal; Doctor Mark Waller played a vital role in ensuring my survival, and I still keep in touch with him.”
“The owners back then were incredible too. They allowed me the time and opportunity to try to return to the game.”
Although much has changed at Hull in the nearly nine years since his injury, Mason acknowledged that his connection to the club remains strong.
“It’s been a long time—I retired at 25, and it’s nearing a decade. They now have different ownership, a new manager, and a different squad,” he mentioned.
“That incident happened while I was representing Hull, so I will always feel a connection to the club. It’s painful to look back on because I lost my career, but my son was born in Hull on December 20.”
“It has made me a better person, and it has positively impacted those around me as well.”
Looking ahead, Mason is determined to set aside these sentiments as he aims to secure his team’s first away victory in the Championship since early October and to prevent any further widening of the five-point gap from the play-off positions.
Ryan Mason has guided West Bromwich Albion to 16th place in the Championship, just five points away from the play-off spots [Shutterstock]