Footballer feared he would lose leg after injury

Aldershot Town FC's Ollie Harfield has admitted he was worried he could "lose his leg" after suffering a serious knee injury.

He was captaining the side against York City during a National League match in September 2024 when he tore ligaments and dislocated his knee.

"My knee exploded, everything in my knee that could have gone has basically gone," he said.

"There were worries I had damaged the artery - we've had the results since and luckily I haven't."

The 28-year-old has now had his contract with the club extended and is hoping to make a return this year.

A former academy player at Bournemouth, Harfield has made more than 100 appearances for Aldershot Town, playing every minute of the 2023-24 league campaign.

"Until it's official that I will not be able to play football again, I will not accept that. I just didn't listen to it, it was harder for my family to be honest.

"But seeing the positivity from my surgeon that I chose, he's kept me positive throughout and ever since then, I have been working hard every day to get back.

"I clung on to his words - nine people said my career is done, all I know is football. Without football I don't have anything, people don't understand, the surgeon's words have almost saved me as a person."

He is currently undergoing rehabilitation in the gym and is targeting returning to grass later this year.

Harfield has been a regular at Aldershot Town games throughout his injury, and he was there when the club won the FA Trophy at Wembley last season.

He has also been a regular at league matches, home and away, as part of the travelling squad and has supported them from the away end with Aldershot fans.

"It's been a really depressing time being honest, I've always struggled with opening up with feelings, but I've learnt that you have to speak about things, otherwise I honestly don't think I'd be here today.

"I've had dark thoughts about thinking about my life and my life away from football.

"I've fallen out with people, I've had a lot of arguments because of the way I've been, you snap at people, you disconnect, but I've been so well supported."

Harfield's surgeon has been clear the recovery could take about two years and - 18 months into his recovery - he has suffered setbacks trying to get back onto the pitch.

"I need to accept that I'll never feel how I used to, but I'm back in the gym trying to strengthen it," he said.

"I'm hoping to be back in four, five, six months' time.

"There is a chance I won't be able to return, but that's something that I still can't listen to.

"If you don't give it 100% then I don't think I'll ever make it back."

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.