A retrospective analysis of tibial diaphyseal fractures caused by football was undertaken to establish the epidemiology and severity of these common injuries. Analysis showed that the commonest fracture types were Tscherne C0 and C1 fractures and that only 73.9 per cent of the patients had unimpaired sporting function after the injury. The time to return to football was significantly related to the severity of the fracture but there was no correlation with the skill of the player. The time to return to football for the C0 fractures averaged 7-8 months and it is therefore suggested that it is unlikely that any player will return to football in the same season.