EXCLUSIVE: Chasetown FC goalkeeper Ryan Price has revealed the secret heartache that has overshadowed one of the biggest seasons of his career.
Despite starring in the Scholars’ record-breaking FA Trophy run, Price has been coping with the stress of seeing his cousin’s ex jailed for her murder.
Carl Truffas, 33 of Kendall Court in Walsall Wood, was jailed for a minimum of 16 years for a knife attack on mother-of-two Natalie James in August last year.
And while Ryan was earning plaudits for his performances on the pitch against the likes of Mansfield Town, he was spending his days at Wolverhampton Crown Court hearing horrific details of how his 23-year-old cousin died.
A jury unanimously found Truffas guilty after the court heard how he had burgled the flat before returning and killing Natalie by stabbing her in the neck.
Jurors were also told how the couple had previously argued over issues surrounding access to their six-week-old son.
The impact of the case forced Natalie’s family to re-live the pain of her death – and it eventually took its toll on Ryan who has not featured in the Chasetown team since the defeat against Mickleover Sports on March 11.
He told Lichfield Live: “We were in court for three weeks and it was a really long time – I just became drained mentally.
“It was so hard hearing him [Truffas] tell lies to try to get himself out of it when you had experts in the court saying it was impossible that the injuries she recieved were caused by his self defence.
“She had five cuts to her throat, one to her shoulder and two in the back.
“As soon as we played Mickleover I knew I needed a break – I just couldn’t think about anything but the court case.
“Being sat in a courtroom with my family for something as heartbreaking as my auntie and uncle have had to live with was hard.
“On the day of the Mickleover game we had to listen to the 999 calls in which we could hear her screams.
“It’s something I’ll never forget.”
The phone calls were from Natalie’s friend Jennifer Staples who was in the flat as Truffas murdered his former partner at her home in Kings Road, Rushall.
The harrowing details from the case came as Ryan was playing a pivotal part in earning Chasetown an FA Trophy quarter-final replay against Mansfield Town.
And while football gave the goalkeeper the chance to take his mind off the horror playing out each day in court, he also used sport to try to ease his father’s pain.
He explained: “Football means loads to me and my family so the FA Trophy run was a bit special for all of us.
“I even let my dad watch me against Mansfied which was the first time in 15 years I’ve let him come and watch me – I never wanted him to see me swear on the pitch!
“But I could see the effect the court case was having on him as it was his niece, so I tried to take his mind off it for a couple of hours.”
Although the death of his cousin has put football into perspective, Ryan admitted that his achievements as part of the Chasetown FC side this season are something he has been able to take great pride in.
And he believes the support he has received from Scholars boss Charlie Blakemore has been invaluable in helping him through some of the toughest times of his life.
He said: “This season is something I’ll never forget.
“It’s been so special and if I never played another game of football I’d still be very proud of the season the lads have had.
“I owe Chasetown and their supporters for giving me some fantastic memories through bad times. The gaffer Charlie has been brilliant too, but then he always has been with me.
“Off the pitch justice has been done. Carl Truffas was found guilty of murder and will be behind bars for a long time.
“So it’s up to all of us in the family to look after Natalie’s two young kids from now on.
“I’ve been told to take a break and rest a few niggles and even though I don’t like not playing, I’ve realised that there’s more to life than sulking over football.
“This will always be the season I’ll never forget.”