while participating in a game, the former Plymouth Argyle striker sustained a head injury that almost proved deadly.
Now with the Professional Footballers’ Association, former Plymouth Argyle striker Alex Fletcher will visit teams and talk to players about a variety of mental health concerns.
Twelve months after sustaining an almost fatal head injury in a collision with concrete obstacles while playing for Bath City in a match in November 2022, the 24-year-old has become a member of the PFA’s Brain Health department. Fletcher had a significant amount of his skull removed during surgery. He had to take a long break from football for ten months during his recuperation, but in August he resumed playing.
Fletcher utilized his personal experience to push for improved player safety on football fields throughout his recuperation, especially with regard to pitch perimeters. He has advocated for improved safety precautions and more precise guidelines for clubs in collaboration with the PFA and the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport.
Fletcher stated, “I feel like I have still got a lot to give to football on and off the pitch, so I’m really excited to be joining the PFA,” after agreeing to play for National League South team Weston super Mare last week.
The connection between playing football and brain health is becoming more and more clear, and I will be speaking with players about it, providing them with information and assisting them in developing their own knowledge of this as a problem.
“I know from my own experience as a player that it always helps when the speaker has gone through similar experiences and has a thorough grasp of the problems that football players confront. I can, of course, tell players about what happened to me and how that kind of life-altering experience changed my understanding of my own mental health.
“I am aware that many may not consider it as anything that may affect them because I am a young, healthy individual. I’m hoping that by having these discussions, other athletes would start to consider their own long-term health and welfare.”
Under the direction of Dr. Adam White, the PFA’s Brain Health section educates players, clubs, and staff about brain health and advocates with national and international stakeholders to protect player brain health throughout training and games.
The department is also in charge of the union’s neurodegenerative illness strategy, closely collaborating with the families and active players who are impacted.
Maheta Molango, the chief executive officer of PFA, stated: “We are thrilled to have Alex join the PFA team. He is a remarkable young guy with a distinct viewpoint on the significance of brain health.
“He has worked his way back from a major injury that has had a profound impact not just on his football career but also his life. He is motivated to use his position within the game for good and, as a current player, he’s someone who I know our members will be able to relate to.
“Alex will be going into clubs and working alongside our specialist team, presenting to players and leading conversations about the importance of brain health within football.”
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