Ramsbottom footballer returns to club after cheating death (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Ramsbottom footballer returns to club after cheating death

7:30am Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

More stories about: Matthew Edgington

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A HERO’s welcome has been given to a young footballer who returned to his home ground for a warm-up less than four months after being left for dead in a city centre attack.

Fans and players at Ramsbottom United lined up at The Riverside to pay tribute to 25-year-old Matthew Edgington, who had joined colleagues as they prepared for their Vodkat North West Counties clash against Bootle.

Few expected Matthew to return to the pitch so soon after he spent almost a month in a coma following an attack outside the Panacea nightclub in Manchester on November 29 last year.

But as part of his rehabilitation the winger, who is being treated in a specialist unit at Rochdale’s Birch Hill Hospital, is allowed home at weekends to aid his recovery.

Dad John and pal Damien Rooney were on hand to see Matthew take part in the kickabout, which marks a key step in his rehabilitation.

Bernard Morley, Ramsbottom’s co-manager, has been in regular contact with the family, also including mum Pauline, girlfriend Helen and sister Rachael, and was delighted to witness Matthew’s touches.

He said: “To see him back here was a great thrill for everyone. 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.”

More than 22,000 people have logged on to the club’s website to track the youngster’s progress and he has received thousands of good luck message via Facebook.

Three people will appear at Manchester Crown Court on 23 March for a plea and case management hearing.