Middlesbrough lose appeal over United player's damages claim

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LONDON, June 17, 2009 (AFP) - Middlesbrough and their former player Gary Smith have lost an appeal against a 4.5 million pounds damages award over a high tackle that ended a Manchester United starlet's career.

Smith broke Manchester United player Ben Collett's right leg in two places during a reserve game between the clubs in 2003.

Collett was awarded the damages by a High Court judge sitting in Manchester last August who heard that Collett, 23, was unable to sustain the level required to be a professional and was ultimately forced to retire from the game.

Both Smith and Middlesbrough accepted liability in the case, in which both Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and captain Gary Neville spoke on behalf of Collett.

Ferguson told the High Court that Collett had an outstanding chance of progressing to the first team and enjoying a career in the game.

The court heard Collett could have earned more than 13,000 pounds a week, and could have played until the age of 35.

Dismissing the appeal, Lady Justice Smith and Lord Justice Carnwath agreed that not only was the compensation for a lost career not excessive, but there was a chance Collett could have achieved even more as a footballer.