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Worsbrough Bridge manager Josh Wright (left) had a tear in his eye when Matt Pinder returned to field, six months on after being told he may not walk again
Josh Wright admits he had a tear in his eye when 17-year-old Matt Pinder returned to the field for Worsbrough Bridge on Saturday.
Pinder was told in November by doctors that he may not walk again after contracting the Guillain Barre Syndrome – a rare condition that once affected former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel.
The youngster spent 29 days in hospital before embarking on an intensive rehabilitation programme. Rehab concluded with a ten minute appearance as a substitute in the 2-0 defeat to promotion-winning Pontefract Collieries.
“I got a bit emotional when he came on,” Wright told Non League Yorkshire.
“It has been hard watching a young lad who I brought to the club and was doing well suddenly get hit by the Guillain Barre Syndrome
“It knocked the whole club off its feet for a month because we were all devastated.
“It has been a bit upsetting, but to come on against Pontefract, the team we played just after he was diagnosed, is fantastic and a bit symbolic.
“I’m sure you’ll agree that he was absolutely outstanding when he came on.
“He was the first person to tackle (Pontefract’s) Mikey Dunn all game.”
Matt Pinder came on for the last ten minutes for Worsbrough in the final day clash with Pontefract.
Pinder was so determined to regain his fitness that he had to be told to calm his rehabilitation down.
“The fact he was going overboard with the rehab it shows the determination of the young man,” Wright said.
“Look at the physique of him, it is incredible how fit he is. Playing football makes him happy and playing against Pontefract is a major relief for him from the last nightmare six months.”
Pinder, who joined Worsbrough last summer as a 16-year-old and was a regular until illness, will re-sign for Bridge in July.
However, two months later he is likely to be moving to Liverpool to study Sport and Exercise Sciences at University.
Wright joked: “I’m going to try everything to make sure he doesn’t go,” before adding, “listen the kid has got a fantastic future, both educationally and footballing-wise.
“He will definitely stay signed on here and he’ll be around in pre-season which will make sure there is plenty of competition for places in the back-line.”