Jamie Byatt admits he was stunned by the generosity shown by Tooting & Mitcham’s fans after Terrors faithful raised close to £1,000 to help fund his operation.

A collection at Saturday’s clash with Dartford saw the impressive amount tallied, aiding Byatt in his bid to have cruciate ligament repair work done privately.

Having suffered the injury in December, the self-employed scaffolder, whose baby daughter Ruby was only born last month, faced a four-month wait for the operation to happen via the NHS.

And Byatt says he simply could not wait that long.

He said: “As soon as I go told I would have to wait that long I knew I would have to go private.

“It has been really hard recently as obviously I cannot work as I cannot put any weight on my knee at all.

“I have looked into going private and the operation is going to cost me £4,500 so I have had to take out a loan.

“For the supporters to want to help me out means an awful lot to me.

“To be honest I am overwhelmed by the amount they raised - I really cannot believe it.

“Now I can concentrate on having the op and getting back to working and playing for Tooting as quick as I can.”

Byatt will visit Parkside Hospital for the procedure on March 25, and expects to be out for up to nine months.

And boss Billy Smith is looking forward to welcoming him back with open arms.

Smith said: “I cannot help but praise the boy.

“He never misses a training session and this was a massive blow for him.

“He is Tooting & Mitcham through and through.

“If I asked him to sign for the rest of his career he would do that.

“I absolutely love the lad and I am just glad the fans feel the same way.”