Welcome back Alfie Rutherford

[David Seabourne]

ALFIE’S RETURN MAKING NATIONAL HEADLINES

It's one of those headlines you just can't ignore: "Alfie so perky again after having open heart surgery and a new valve made of..pig's tissue." Yes, you read that right!

Our very own Alfie Rutherford was certainly making national newspaper headlines over the weekend as The Daily Mirror and Daily Star told their millions of readers about his inspirational story.

Dorking fans will remember the 25 year old became the youngest National League cardiac patient when he underwent surgery at Southampton General last November.

Doctors believe Alfie was probably born with aortic stenosis but didn't suffer symptoms. However, about 12 months ago, a scan showed his aortic valve was shrinking. "If I hadn't had the valve done it would have narrowed and it wouldn't have been able to pump enough blood around my body. I would have been struggling to breathe," he explained.

Surgeons had to saw through Alfie's chestbone to replace the valve with pig tissue. He then had to rest up for three months to avoid any stress on his sternum, which had been wired back together after the op. "The surgeons were incredible and I can't thank them enough" Alfie added.

"When people say doctors and heart specialists should be paid more than footballers, I agree with them."

Alfie also underwent knee ligament surgery while he was away, after he'd torn his anterior cruciate against Wrexham.

But his comeback is well underway and he's recently joined Bognor Regis in the Isthmian League Premier for some much-needed game time before returning to the Wanderers in a months’ time. Alfie added "I can't wait to feel the grass between my feet and to experience the rush of playing football again."

[Simon Cook (Honorary Secretary]

David,

It’s news to me! I can assure you that Alfie has not signed for us.

Simon

[mbnimo]

5:55 to 6:40ish marc is pretty explicit about his intent - i posted about it 2-3 weeks ago.

Then posted from dorkings website www.dorkingwanderers.com/post/alfiesreturn - have they really done that without at any point talking to the club, clearly taking Alfie for 3-4 weeks is an absolute no brainer, its just hilarious to make those releases without talking to anyone at the club. Any chance Jack forgot to mention it Simon?

[cityboy]

Think I would rather believe Simon our club secretary than Mark White!!
It maybe that he had hoped that Bognor would take Alfie without asking us🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️.
My question is who would be left out the team to make way for a short term loanee?
Last weekend we had 2 players unavailable, Mo couldn't make the bench despite travelling, whilst Joe Briffa and Tom Holland never even travelled.

[mbnimo]

I'm clearly not questioning Simon - just saying how odd this looks. In terms of who we leave out, ill be very frank and id guess there isnt a player in the group who would disagree, literally any of them. Alfie is on a very diff level - he was 7 figure league 1 targeted before the ACL and scored 20 in this league for us at 17. Might not be easy but if anyones ego cant step back for 3-4 weeks for him thats their flaw honestly.

I think over a season Dan would be our best forward - hes struggled at national league level. Alfie has scored goals there for fun. Totally ignoring his NL south record which is just silly. Short term or not you dont get these opportunities every day, quality wise hes prob 3-4 leagues above, - i shared it with friends who havent been for years who were excited to come watch him again.

I mean literally the Bognor twitter account retweeted Alfies mum talking about the post where it says hes coming to bognor     You cant make this stuff up.

[Simon Cook (Honorary Secretary]

We are talking to Dorking Wanderers but nothing has been finalised yet, and in any case Alfie is not yet fit to play. If and when we do sign him it will be announced straight away by the club.

[mbnimo]

Cheers Simon - just to be clear I wasnt doubting anything you were saying just pointing out what a weird/funny situation it was 😂 One of the stories in the national press this weekend did say he was 2-3 weeks from playing. Well broadcast I think a month of Alfie would get a few extra bums on seats - the pompey fanbase has been talking about him a lot over the last 2 years!

[rebellious]

I'm sure the Dorking medical team were pleased to hear that. He had an ACL reconstruction in February. Typically they take (without complications) 8 to 9 months. Give the lad a chance!

[mbnimo]

Sept 15, 2023 11:25:47 GMT 1 rebellious said:

I'm sure the Dorking medical team were pleased to hear that. He had an ACL reconstruction in February. Typically they take (without complications) 8 to 9 months. Give the lad a chance!

Yeah  marc chats in the video about the incredible speed of his recovery - given heart surgery added into the mix! The few times ive got to chat to him he also just seems like a super nice lad, hope he can get back to his best. I can only imagine having him around will inspire and give a lot of our talented young players a great idea what it takes to suceed and move up at this level!

[Fish and chips]

Just heard marc whites weekly update. And he says about Alfie was going to be playing for bognor tomorrow but he's just picked up a knee injury so won't be playing tomorrow now. Maybe marc needs to actually talk to bognor about things like play loans not just expected us to say yes. If we can get him for a while yes. But if it's 3 weeks and u piss off one of our strikers that is doing well and he leaves as thinks what's the point if a loan player can walk straight into his place even if I'm playing well. would it really be worth it probably not

[rebellious]

There is no easy solution for players returning from a long term injury. In the past they would play in the reserves until ready for the first team. Quite often see friendlies arranged just to give players game time.