Lymm AFC support for ex-player seriously injured in crash

Paul Heywood, who first became a member of Lymm AFC in 1989 after moving to Callands, suffered head trauma after falling off his bike in May last year.

Two of the club's old boys have since ran 30km and cycled 300km respectively to help raise funds for his physio care and rehabilitation.

He and his wife Dawn have been blown away by the support offered by their footballing community following a day that turned their lives upside down.

Dawn said: "I think it was a bit of disbelief really that a bike ride could go so wrong.

"Paul was wearing a helmet, he was a proficient cyclist, he had all that cycling gear on and it was a well-known route to us.

“I was quite shocked at the severity of the accident.

"It’s not what we had planned.”

Paul, 56, added: “My past 12 months have been like going to bed one day and you wake up the next day.

"Imagine going through your life and everything is fine, but this is not a great experience is it.”

Paul Heywood at the allotment in March

Paul was airlifted to the Walton Centre in Liverpool after the accident and remained in the hospital for six weeks before being moved to the Salford Royal for two months of acute neuro-rehabilitation.

He was then transferred to Trafford General Hospital for a further five months, with his spirits kept high by visits from football club members.

His affection for the club has been strong ever since scoring on his debut and netting five in his next game against the veteran's team, having joined Lymm AFC through his neighbour.

His affection for the club has been strong ever since scoring on his debut and netting five in his next game against the veteran's team, having joined Lymm AFC through his neighbour.

Dawn added: “The club have supported Paul very much so, we had a visitor every week from Lymm at the hospital.

Paul and Jock used to play for Lymm AFC and enjoyed watching a recent game together

“They have been phenomenal, they visited more than our friends did.

"Even when we’ve come home, they’ve been constantly in touch with me.”

Paul added: “I think the funny thing is, over the years I’ve been involved in raising funds for other people when they’ve had things like this happen.”

“It seems like fate that now you’re getting support back,” Dawn added.