Family of seriously injured Alex ‘overwhelmed’ by support

Thousands of pounds have been raised for the family of Bath City footballer Alex Fletcher, who remains in intensive care.

The 23-year-old striker, inset, suffered a serious head injury early in the game against Dulwich Hamlet on Tuesday, November 8, when he collided with the advertising hoarding by the pitch at Twerton Park. The match was abandoned.

Alex was taken to Southmead Hospital for emergency neurosurgery, where he remains in a “critical condition”.

In a statement on Twitter by Bath City FC, Alex’s family said he was showing “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 have been completely overwhelming,” his family said.

Now, fans have donated over £10,000 to help the Fletcher family through their ordeal. A Go Fund Me crowdfunder, started by Georgina Bale of How Hill, Bath, said the money would allow Alex’s loved ones to “take time off work” and pay for “personal costs”.

Ms Bale wrote: “The whole of the Bath City family, and the footballing world beyond, is behind Alex and are sending their unconditional love, strength and support to both Alex and his loved ones.” Bath City FC has postponed several of its upcoming fixtures in light of Alex’s injury. The men’s First XI’S upcoming Vanarama National League South fixture against Worthing and Somerset Cup game against Nailsea and Tickenham FC have both been cancelled. Bath City Women’s fixture against Wellington Ladies FC has also been postponed.

The club said: “New dates for these fixtures will be announced in due course”, adding that “tickets purchased for the home games at Twerton Park will be valid for the rearranged fixtures.”

In a statement on Sunday the club added that manager Jerry Gill was in daily contact with Alex’s loved ones and was supporting them “through this extremely difficult time”.

The Fletcher family said: “We sincerely thank each and every one for sending [messages of goodwill] and we pray that Alex will continue to make progress in the days ahead.”