fbpx
Connect with us

Dorking Wanderers

‘I was told I’d never be able to play again’ – Alfie Rutherford returns after open heart surgery

‘I was told I’d never be able to play again’ – Prolific poacher Alfie Rutherford returns to football after having open heart surgery.

The 25 year old National League striker had an aortic valve grafted from pig tissue and is now hoping his return can help guide Dorking up the table.

But first, he is dropping down the leagues for a month spell with Isthmian League Premier Division club Bognor Regis as he gets his fitness back.

BOGNOR STATEMENT:

The talented forward, 25, is coming back from a long lay-off following open heart surgery to replace an aortic valve and it is hoped the game time he will attain will be mutually beneficial to both Robbie Blake’s outfit and the National League side.

Former Pompey youngster Rutherford is returning the club where he kick-started his career in men’s football seven years ago after signing at the Nye Camp from Moneyfields.

He has since had spells at Eastbourne Borough and Havant & Waterlooville before switching to play for Marc White at Dorking.

Rutherford’s signing comes after another former fans’ favourite, Jimmy Muitt, switched to the Rocks on a month’s loan from Meadowbank.

Boss Blake says he is looking forward to working with Rutherford — and thanked White and Dorking for their help securing the short-term deal.

He said: “Alfie is obviously a very talented lad and has been through a lot with his medical issues and deserves so much credit for having the mental capacity and physical ability to be on the verge of this comeback. We are delighted to have him in our camp and I think the arrangement will suit both parties and many thanks to Marc and Dorking for their assistance in the deal.

“Unfortunately, Alfie can’t play in the FA Trophy, so we won’t see him in action for us on Saturday when we host Hayes & Yeading.”

Another player not involved in the tie is Brad Lethbridge, who is taking a break from the Rocks as he looks to get fitter. Blake added: “Brad is a great lad and no one can doubt his ability but he has struggled a bit to keep up with the fitness needed at this level. We will monitor his progress over his fitness and it is really up to him to win his battle.”

He scored 49 goals in 88 appearances before having surgery, and it’s fair to say he’s ready to getting back on the pitch again.

Rutherford had shared his story and paid tribute to the NHS when talking via the Mirror last month (September 2023).

“I was probably born with a condition called aortic stenosis, but growing up I was asymptomatic and I lived my day-to-day life like anyone else,” he said. “Then I was offered a scholarship by Portsmouth at 16 and my heart issue was flagged up at the medical screening.

“Pompey said I would not be able to sign for them or play football again, but the FA doctors were fantastic and told me nobody can stop you from playing. I never used to think about it, apart from getting a letter in the post every year inviting me for a check-up, and Dorking Wanderers knew about my condition when they took a chance on me.

“But about 12 months ago, a scan showed the aortic valve that pumps blood around the body was shrinking and was near the minimum limit.

“Then I tore my anterior cruciate ligament against Wrexham – so knowing I was facing a long lay-off, I decided to kill two birds with one stone by getting both my knee and heart sorted. If I hadn’t had the valve done, it would have narrowed and it wouldn’t have been able to pump enough blood around my body. I would have been struggling to breathe.”

Back in November 2022, Rutherford had the open heart surgery in Southampton General Hospital’s cardiac unit and was discharged just five days later.

Though he spent the next three months in bed, and he couldn’t pick up any item which weighed more than a box of matches, as the surgeons had to saw through his sternum (chest bone) to replace his valve with pig tissue.

“I got wheeled into theatre about 6am on a Monday morning and the next thing I know it’s 7am the following day, and I’m the oldest one on the ward by about 40 years,” laughed Rutherford. “When I was allowed home, having your mum deliver your breakfast, lunch and dinner in bed every day has its merits.

“But I was not allowed to use my arm for anything because of the stress it would put on my sternum, which had been wired back together. Fortunately, the World Cup was on for six weeks, so I passed a lot of the time watching every game. I was allowed to switch channels using the remote control console, but that was about it.

“These surgeons are incredible – I can’t thank them enough. When you hear people say doctors and heart specialists should be paid more than footballers, I agree with them.”

He said: “I had only been back on my feet for a couple of weeks when I found myself back in bed for a month, but we’re nearly there now. I can’t wait to feel the grass beneath my feet and to experience the rush of playing football again. I’m going to be like a kid at Christmas.

“The surgery I’ve had, implanting a tissue valve, has a 95 per cent success rate but it only lasts for about 15 years, so I’ll have to go through it again by the time I’m 40. Most people don’t know when their careers are going to end, but mine has a ticking clock and I’ve got 15 years to make the most of it.

“I could have had a mechanical valve fitted, which lasts longer, but you have to take warfarin (blood-thinning medication) for the rest of your life with that – and it gets complicated if you suffer any cuts or gashes.”

Fans react as Alfie Rutherford returns to football after open heart surgery…

@AdamGoldring5: @AlfieRutherford look forward to seeing you back mate. Go well 👏🏽

@gingegooseberry: Welcome back @AlfieRutherford! 💚💚

@Dexter_smith98: back in action the boy

@MattTooze: Start of the comeback Alfie good luck!

@daggercraig82: Great to see you’re back playing Alfie good luck

@calvertskans: Good luck Alfie!

@LemmyBarnett: Good luck Alfie! Hope you’re back golfing too.

@J_Cheads: Good luck Alfred ❤️

@H_Deaconmedia: Go on the boy 💙💙

@beerssoon: Alfie god bless you and your lovely family

@HCfootball01: Great to see Alfie back playing, one of the best players I’ve ever seen in NLS. Go get it👊

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Dorking Wanderers