Player who came back after head injury retires

FORMER Bath City striker Alex Fletcher has announced his retirement from playing football at the age of 25, writes Chris Errington. The former Plymouth Argyle youth product suffered a near fatal head injury in a collision with concrete barriers when playing for the Romans in a match in November 2022. Fletcher underwent major surgery to remove part of his skull.

After a recovery process during which he was out of football for 10 months he made his return to playing in August 2023. Fletcher, inset, joined Weston-super-Mare last November and it was the Southern League club who confirmed in a statement that the striker was retiring. Westonsuper-Mare manager Scott Bartlett said: “I’ve spoken with Alex many times during the summer. He informed me of his decision some time ago which I know he had thought about greatly. He’s an intelligent person with a great family, who recently had a very important new addition. That is obviously the most important thing. I’ve not known Alex for long in the grand scheme of things but he had made an impression on me and the rest of our club. He’s so positive and has taken everything in his stride. What he went through is common knowledge but largely incomprehensible to many.

“I’m sure you’ll all join me in thanking Alex for all his efforts in a Seagulls shirt and wishing him all the best for the future in what is sure to be a great career with the PFA.”

Fletcher joined the Professional Footballers’ Association in November 2023 in a role visiting clubs and speaking to players on a range of brain health issues.

The striker came through the youth ranks at Argyle and went on to make seven starts and 18 substitute appearances for the first team, scoring three goals, before leaving for Tiverton Town in 2020.

Weston-super-Mare assistant boss Scott Rogers, who also managed Fletcher at Tiverton, said: “We were all devastated to hear the news of the injury and prayed he would be OK. After he got out of the hospital, nothing was going to stop him from playing football again. When he became available and I spoke to Scott about the possibility of coming to Weston, Scott backed Alex’s attitude and ability so much so that he said not to come in on trial but to give him a contract. This I know filled Alex with belief and confidence.

“He scored some vital goals and fitted into the dressing room with ease. I still can’t believe he managed to play and contribute at this level of football after all that he’s been through.”