Bath City updates fans on Alex Fletcher’s condition as ex-Bristol City, Plymouth, Fulham player Joe Bryan makes a classy £1K donation.
A fundraiser was recently launched to help support the family of a the non league footballer who remains in intensive care after suffering a serious head injury on the pitch.
Alex Fletcher collided with a wall during the team’s match against Dulwich Hamlet on Tuesday the 8th of November and was treated by paramedics on the pitch before being transported to Southmead Hospital in Bristol where he underwent emergency neurosurgery during the night.
He remains in a stable but critical condition and is thankfully showing some signs of improving.
The club released a statement from the forward’s family following the incident, having already thanked everyone for their loving messages and support for the former Plymouth Argyle youth player.
An update on Alex Fletcher. pic.twitter.com/FKdgIAfFnU
— Bath City FC (@BathCity_FC) November 13, 2022
BATH CITY STATEMENT:
The parents of Alex Fletcher have issued an update on Alex’s condition.
Alex remains in a critical condition in intensive care but is starting to show small signs of improvement. The care and treatment he is receiving from the doctors and nurses is beyond words, and the love, support and messages of goodwill that the whole football world has sent to Alex has been completely overwhelming. His family sincerely thank each and everyone for sending them and we pray that Alex will continue to make progress in the days ahead.
Bath City Manager Jerry Gill is in daily contact with Alex’s parents and we, as a club, are supporting them during this extremely difficult time. No further comments will be made at this stage and we ask you all to respect the family’s privacy.
SEE MORE: GoFundMe page set up for Bath’s Alex Fletcher as non league clubs pay tribute at matches
so ive just seen that Former @BristolCity and now @FulhamFC /OGC Nice player @joebryan has just made the biggest & kindest donation so far to Alex Fletchers gofundme page, im shocked what an absolute generous donation.
Joe Bryan what an absoloute legend@BathCity_FC @BBCSport pic.twitter.com/s8rj3LlwS2
— Mark (@MS78991) November 13, 2022
Twitter users reacted as Bath updates on Alex Fletcher’s condition and ex-Bristol City, Plymouth, Fulham player Joe Bryan makes a £1K donation…
@charfieldblue: Really pleased for you all to read some positive news. Small steps but in the right direction.
@shahin_lisa: That’s lovely news. Thinking of him and his family. Huge applause to the wonderful NHS.
@antmccool7: Cmon Alex. Sending strength and best wishes to all. Awful tragic accidnet. Praying he pulls through 🙏
@MS78991: get well soon Alex, us fans at Bath City miss you and want you back out on that twerton park pitch but your health comes first so rest up man fight hard and come back strong, sending my deepest thoughts and prayers to Alex and his family at this difficult time
@JohnStockman1: Come on fletch you can do it.
@Mrjoshiejj: Get well soon Alex Fletcher definitely a positive Alex is showing small signs of improvement still a long ways to go though
@Johnsie7: Stay strong, young man! Again, sending continuous love, support and the sincerest, utmost best wishes to Alex, Alex’s family & all at Bath City FC. ❤️
@krchiefscout7: Sending strength and positivity to Alex and his family and great to hear of the progress. Keep fighting Alex 💪❤️
@dodeperk: Thoughts and prayers are with all off Alex’s family, you can do this.
@antclare78: I’m sure on behalf of all @BarnsleyFC fans i wish Alex all the best and a speedy recovery. ❤️
@jammerstanley: Hoping For A Speedy Recovery.. Alex Will Be Back Playing The Game He Loves!x⚽️
@lindsay_halbert: Keeping fighting Alex, our thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time (@CambridgeUtdFC Fan) 🖤🧡
@Paultelfordsmit: Sending positive thoughts and vibes. Here’s praying for a speeding and full recovery. Thoughts are with Alex’s family, loved ones, friends and team mates.
@dwfc_drummer: keep fighting through fletch 🖤🤍
@Sammijop97: Keep fighting Alex you can pull through this
@somersethammer4: Stay strong brother, you’ll pull through! 🖤🤍
@OctoLes: Good to hear some positive news. Keep fighting Alex.
@RichieReynolds7: Stay strong Fletch #keepfightingfletch
@EC1901_: Keep fighting Alex
@lloydirish: Keep fighting Alex, small steps at this stage are big steps ❤️ Praying for you all
A few days ago, Joe Bryan, currently on loan to French team Nice from Premier League club Fulham, spoke to the BBC about his experiences with anxiety, and how talking his problems through made a real difference. Helping others, showing just how much of a caring he is.
He said: “Over the course of a few months I had a serious hamstring injury, I moved into an apartment that didn’t feel like home, these little tiny life things, I just felt down, kind of numb, dulled, everything was a bit strange like I was running through a cloud, that kind of stuff.”
The left-back explained how he withdrew from the people around him and would either not speak to people, or be snappy with them. From a health perspective, he suffered with headaches and stomach trouble and didn’t want to leave his bed. It was only when his club physio noticed something was wrong that he started to open up.
“I just think speaking out helps that view of, ‘Oh, I’m weak because I’m going through this’,” Joe said, “Not thinking that you’re attractive, someone looks better than me at the gym, performing poorly at their job, all these tiny little things that in your head. You go, ‘I don’t know why I feel like this, I don’t know why I’m thinking this, I’m not going to tell anyone because I’m embarrassed’.
“I can guarantee that nearly every man or woman goes through the same thought processes and thought patterns.”
Joe firmly believes that the stigma of men being seen as ‘weak’ for talking about these things is gradually fading and his advice to anyone is to share how they feel with a group of friends.
He said: “I’ve had conversations with my friends over the past couple of months that they’ve been struggling and they’ve said “No we shouldn’t talk about these things, let’s just have fun. And I’m like, ‘no’, this is an important part of friendship.
“Anyone going through these things, they’re a completely normal part of life, whether you’re a lorry driver, a binman, a footballer or the Prime Minister, everyone has these little life things that can really add up. It’s just about, I think, opening up and sitting and having a conversation like this and saying, ‘Ah, I’ve had a rubbish few days, I broke up with my girlfriend, had an argument with my best mate and it’s completely normal’.”
You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.
If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are more links to helpful organisations on BBC Action Line.
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