It should have been the dream season for Terry Masson as he finally got the chance to celebrate his Covid-delayed testimonial.
But instead the loyal Montrose midfielder found himself stuck in Ninewells Hospital twice undergoing surgery for an injury he initially thought he’d shrug off in a few days.
Masson was floored for the best part of four months after an initial knee cartilage operation saw him return to hospital with an infection.
Masson’s hospital stay not only left him sidelined at Links Park but put a teaching promotion job in jeopardy.
Thankfully, Masson’s employers at Angus Council were willing to delay his interview and he got the job.
And he’s now back on the pitch, just eight games shy of his 400 appearance target for the Mo.
“It’s been a really frustrating few months since my testimonial,” said Masson, 34.
“I picked up a knock in a game with Falkirk in the summer and didn’t think anything of it at the time.
“I actually thought I’d be fine to train and play the next week. But I went to see a specialist and we decided it was best to opt for surgery.
“I waited six weeks for that but after the first operation I became infected and I had to go back to hospital again.
Terry Masson feared injury would cost him promotion
👟🎯 This was one of our favourite goals of this season's #BetfredCup group stages!
Montrose fans, do you agree with @the_delnch who picked Terry Masson as the Mo's Player of the Decade? 🤔#SPFL | @MontroseFC pic.twitter.com/4WDTqBqBbh
— SPFL (@spfl) January 8, 2020
“It was all happening for me at the same time.
“I’d just applied for a promotion to become head of the department at Arbroath Academy but the interview was due for while I was in hospital.
“I actually thought my chances of the job had gone but they were great about it and postponed my interview for a week.
“Even that was far from ideal. I had to do a video call and was drugged up on morphine for the post-op pain during the interview.
“But I got the job and I’m back playing so it’s all worked out well.”
Masson ‘can’t thank Montrose enough’
Masson has been a mainstay of the Montrose midfield since 2011.
He made his return in the recent games with Kelty Hearts and Queen of the South.
And, now on 392 appearances, has penned a one-year contract extension with Stewart Petrie’s side.
“I can’t thank Montrose enough for the way they’ve looked after me,” added Masson.
“I started the year determined to get to 400 games before Christmas and had that taken away from me.
“My contract was also up in the summer and you are always keen to get back to make an impression.
“But they could see how hard I’d worked back and gave me a new deal.
“The club is superbly well-run behind the scenes and we have a core group of players here who have been at Montrose a long time.
“I no longer consider them as just being team-mates. They are very close friends.”
Conversation