Fletcher showing ‘signs of progress’

FORMER Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United striker Alex Fletcher remains in a critical condition in hospital following the horror injury he suffered while playing for Bath City last week, but has shown signs of improvement.

The 23-year-old, who lives in Newton Abbot, collided head first at high speed into an advertising hoarding just five minutes into the Romans’ National League South clash with Dulwich Hamlet forcing the game to be abandoned.

Fletcher was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital where it later emerged that he had undergone emergency neurosurgery to stabilise his condition before being admitted to intensive care.

Bath then postponed their league clash with Worthing on Saturday, but the parents of Fletcher issued an update on his condition yesterday which offered some encouraging news.

“Alex remains in a critical condition in intensive care but is starting to show small signs of improvement,” the statement read. “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.

“We sincerely thank each and every one for sending them and we pray that Alex will continue to make progress in the days ahead.”

Bath City added: “Manager Jerry Gill is in daily contact with Alex’s parents and we are supporting them during this extremely difficult time.

“No further comment will be made at this stage and we ask you all to respect the family’s privacy.”

Fletcher came through the Academy at Argyle and went on to make 25 appearances for the first team, scoring three goals.

He spent a short time on loan at Aldershot and Torquay before his release in 2020 when he joined Tiverton Town before them moving on to Bath.