Bath City star in critical condition after accident
BATH City footballer Alex Fletcher has been admitted to intensive care after sustaining a “severe” head injury in a match on Tuesday night.
The side’s National League South game against Dulwich Hamlet was abandoned after the former Plymouth Argyle striker suffered the injury. An ambulance was called to Twerton Park after Fletcher, 23, collided with the perimeter wall at the corner of the Bristol End in the fifth minute of the match.
In an update yesterday Bath City
FC said: “Unfortunately (he) has sustained a severe head injury as a result of last night’s events.
“He required emergency neurosurgery to stabilise his condition and was then admitted to intensive care where he remains in a stable but critical condition.
“Alex’s family would like to thank everyone for their best wishes that have been sent.
“No further comments will be made at this stage and we ask you all to respect the family’s privacy. Everyone at Bath City is sending their unconditional love, strength and support to Alex and his loved ones.”
Tuesday night’s game was abandoned after just five minutes of play following discussions with both managers and players by referee Lewis Sandoe.
Stadium announcer Mark Stillman told those in attendance: “Because of the seriousness of this injury, it has been agreed by both clubs that tonight’s game will be abandoned and replayed at a later date. While we understand people may have travelled a long way to attend this fixture, we hope you appreciate that this is a serious incident, and this takes precedence over what is just a game of football.
“We will all be keeping our fingers crossed for Alex Fletcher and thank the work of those paramedics, who were situated just yards away and acted so swiftly to what is a difficult moment.
“There is likely to be more information on the socials in the upcoming days but please understand people are in a state of shock and it seems churlish to comment on such matters. We wish you all a safe journey home.”
The player was taken away in an ambulance at 8.52pm and transferred to Southmead Hospital in Bristol later that night.
On Wednesday morning his parents said: “Unfortunately, Alex has sustained a severe head injury as a result of last night’s events.
“He required emergency neurosurgery to stabilise his condition and was then admitted to intensive care where he remains in a stable but critical condition.
“Alex’s family would like to thank everyone for their best wishes that have been sent.”
Bath City manager Jerry Gill was understandably shaken by the events as he and the football club requested privacy rather than comment on the situation.
The club received over 300 tweets of support when the news was shared of Tuesday night’s abandonment.
After the abandonment, Dulwich Hamlet (@DulwichHamletFC) wrote: “Due to the serious injury sustained by Alex Fletcher, both teams have agreed to abandon the game. For now the most important thing is the safety and recovery of Alex, and from everyone connected with Dulwich, we wish him a speedy and full recovery.”
Manager Paul Barnes and the players of Dulwich Hamlet also offered their support immediately after the accident while a few City players looked visibly shocked at one of their teammates being in the hands of the emergency services.
Fletcher joined Bath City in January 2021 and was named Supporters’ and Players’ Player of the Season in his first full campaign, where he netted 19 goals in all competitions.
The Newton Abbot-born front man has made 69 appearances for the club and scored 28 goals. He joined from Tiverton Town having progressed through the Plymouth Argyle Academy.
Both clubs showed their support as well wishes poured in online for the player, including one from former England international and onetime Plymouth boss Peter Reid.