Updated Dec 27, 2011 8:10 PM ET

Chris Whelpdale, a winger with English fourth-tier side Gillingham, suffered a painful and unusual injury in a 2-1 win at Crawley Monday when a tackle split open his scrotum, AFP reported.

"It's a horrific injury," Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler told the BBC. "He's going to be very sore, and I'm sure his wife won't be too happy either."

Whelpdale required five stitches to close the injury, which occurred during a high tackle by David Hunt, The Sun reported.

The 22-year-old Whelpdale, who joined the soccer club from Peterborough in July, has scored four goals in 22 games.

http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/engl ... tch-122711 (http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/engl ... tch-122711)

The referee had to stop the game because there were two balls on the pitch.

Seriously though, I hope the fella makes a full recovery. (thumbs-up)