Matthew Edgington Returns To The Riverside
Mon 15th March 2010 | Ramsbottom United | By Ian Templeman
Three months and three weeks ago, Ramsbottom United's Matthew Edgington was savagely attacked whilst on a night out in Manchester.Â
Last Saturday, he made his first appearance at The Riverside since that fateful day and he was afforded a hero's welcome.
Matt, who last played for the Rams in the 2-1 away day victory over Alsager Town at the end of November, was out in the city with friends, celebrating the victory. However, the evening was to finish in the worst possible way with the winger unconscious following the cowardly attack from behind.
But ahead of the crucial league game with Bootle, Matt, alongside his good friend Damien Rooney and his father John, took the field for a warm-up with his team-mates, striking the ball well despite his injuries.
He was warmly welcomed by the team as he went through the pre-match routines with them and then mingled with the crowd, chatting and enjoying the atmosphere at the ground.
It was excellent to see him back, and with family and friends around him, thoroughly enjoyed his day.
There is still a long way to go for Matt in his rehabilitation and has now been released from Salford Royal Hospital (formerly Hope Hospital) and is now being cared for at the Floyd Unit at Rochdale's Birch Hill Hospital, where he will receive more one-on-one rehab to aid the excellent progress made to date.
He is allowed to be taken home over weekends, spending time at the Floyd during the week but his father John, mother Pauline, sister Rachael, girlfriend Helen and brother-in-law Chris (along with young Evie-Mae) have been delighted to be able to have him back receiving home comforts. This is a very important part of the process and so is him getting some fresh air ... and enjoying a kick-around with his mates on the pitch at The Riverside.
Ramsbottom's co-manager Bernard Morley, who has been in regular touch with the Edgington family and visits Matthew often, was excited to see Matt back on the ground today. "To see him back here today was a great thrill for everyone," he said.
"Having seen him through the whole period since the attack, to see him back here kicking the ball around and socialising with the lads was terrific.
"We know there is still a long way to go in his rehab but if this sort of thing helps him, then he is always welcome."
A pure coincidence of Matt's appearance on the ground today was that the referee for the match, Barry Lamb, was also the man in charge of proceedings at Alsager on the winger's last appearance. And Mr Lamb is also a night-porter at Hope Hospital and having heard about Matt's condition via the Ramsbottom United website, paid him a visit whilst on duty.
Everyone at Ramsbottom United Football Club continues to wish Matthew well and the web forum has now seen some 22,000 'hits' on the regular updates and his "Get Well Soon" page on Facebook continues to grow.
Below are some pictures, showing Matt's day. He even attempted a cheeky back-flick ... you never lose it Matt !!!!
Richard Isaacs, Programme Editor, Ramsbottom United
Matthew is pictured below on the pitch at the Riverside prior to the Bootle game. Photograph courtesy of Richard Isaacs.
Matthew Edgington Returns To The Riverside
Mon 15th March 2010 | Ramsbottom United
By Ian Templeman
Three months and three weeks ago, Ramsbottom United's Matthew Edgington was savagely attacked whilst on a night out in Manchester.Â
Last Saturday, he made his first appearance at The Riverside since that fateful day and he was afforded a hero's welcome.
Matt, who last played for the Rams in the 2-1 away day victory over Alsager Town at the end of November, was out in the city with friends, celebrating the victory. However, the evening was to finish in the worst possible way with the winger unconscious following the cowardly attack from behind.
But ahead of the crucial league game with Bootle, Matt, alongside his good friend Damien Rooney and his father John, took the field for a warm-up with his team-mates, striking the ball well despite his injuries.
He was warmly welcomed by the team as he went through the pre-match routines with them and then mingled with the crowd, chatting and enjoying the atmosphere at the ground.
It was excellent to see him back, and with family and friends around him, thoroughly enjoyed his day.
There is still a long way to go for Matt in his rehabilitation and has now been released from Salford Royal Hospital (formerly Hope Hospital) and is now being cared for at the Floyd Unit at Rochdale's Birch Hill Hospital, where he will receive more one-on-one rehab to aid the excellent progress made to date.
He is allowed to be taken home over weekends, spending time at the Floyd during the week but his father John, mother Pauline, sister Rachael, girlfriend Helen and brother-in-law Chris (along with young Evie-Mae) have been delighted to be able to have him back receiving home comforts. This is a very important part of the process and so is him getting some fresh air ... and enjoying a kick-around with his mates on the pitch at The Riverside.
Ramsbottom's co-manager Bernard Morley, who has been in regular touch with the Edgington family and visits Matthew often, was excited to see Matt back on the ground today. "To see him back here today was a great thrill for everyone," he said.
"Having seen him through the whole period since the attack, to see him back here kicking the ball around and socialising with the lads was terrific.
"We know there is still a long way to go in his rehab but if this sort of thing helps him, then he is always welcome."
A pure coincidence of Matt's appearance on the ground today was that the referee for the match, Barry Lamb, was also the man in charge of proceedings at Alsager on the winger's last appearance. And Mr Lamb is also a night-porter at Hope Hospital and having heard about Matt's condition via the Ramsbottom United website, paid him a visit whilst on duty.
Everyone at Ramsbottom United Football Club continues to wish Matthew well and the web forum has now seen some 22,000 'hits' on the regular updates and his "Get Well Soon" page on Facebook continues to grow.
Below are some pictures, showing Matt's day. He even attempted a cheeky back-flick ... you never lose it Matt !!!!
Richard Isaacs, Programme Editor, Ramsbottom United
Matthew is pictured below on the pitch at the Riverside prior to the Bootle game. Photograph courtesy of Richard Isaacs.
