A NON-LEAGUE footballer who suffered a near-death skull fracture has made a fairytale return to the pitch less than 12 months later.
Alex Fletcher, 24, was an 85th-minute sub in Bath City’s 3-1 win over Hampton & Richmond Borough today.
Last November, he crashed head-first into an advertising board during Bath’s National League South clash against Dulwich Hamlet.
The sickening collision saw the game abandoned, with Fletcher immediately rushed to hospital.
It was there he underwent emergency brain surgery, having suffered multiple fractures to his skull.
But Fletcher has since made a miraculous recovery.
And he came on today in the 85th minute to rapturous applause from both sets of fans.
It capped off an incredible comeback for Fletcher, who was left in an induced coma for a week after his surgery.
He previously opened up on the terrifying 50-minute journey to hospital in a neck brace, admitting he feared dying if he fell asleep.
Fletcher targeted a return to the pitch after being cleared to play earlier this month.
He was immediately handed a new contract by Bath.
And Fletcher said at the time: “After a turbulent time for me, my family, my close friends and everybody connected with Bath City, I’m absolutely delighted to not only have the opportunity to get back on the pitch, but to continue playing my part for this amazing football club.”
He added to the BBC: “Nobody will ever understand how many times I’ve played out the scenarios in my mind.
“The next time stepping back on to Twerton Park with the number seven on my back, my next goal, my next win as a Roman. It’s truthfully what’s been keeping me going throughout my entire recovery.
“My surgeon gave them [my family] the news that if I made it through the surgery, which was a slim chance as it was, I might not be the same person.
“I might not have use of my legs. I might not even remember my family because of where the impact was.”
Manager Jerry Gill declared: “To see Alex back in full contact training within the group, having been given the all clear from the specialists, is so inspiring.
“It’s credit to his positive and determined mindset to how far he has come since that awful night back last year.
“We will continue to work with him and not rush anything at this stage, but it won’t be long until we see him back out on the pitch in a Bath City shirt.”
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and confirmed switches from the world of football
