Alex Fletcher: Former Bath striker takes new PFA role promoting brain health
- Published
Alex Fletcher (right) delivered his first talk at Exeter City in his new role for the PFA's Brain Health team
Former Bath City striker Alex Fletcher has a new role with the Professional Footballers' Association talking about brain health, a year after suffering a major head injury.
The 25-year-old crashed into advertising hoardings during a National League South game last November.
He needed surgery, was in a coma and did not play football for 10 months.
Fletcher's new role is in the PFA's Brain Health department and he will visit clubs to talk to players.
"The understanding of the relationship between brain health and playing football continues to grow, and that's what I'll be speaking to players about, sharing information and helping them build their personal understanding of this as an issue," Fletcher said.
"From my own experience as a player, I know it always helps when the person who is speaking is someone who has experienced the same things and who has that understanding of the issues you face as a footballer.
"Obviously, I'm able to talk to players about what happened to me and how that sort of life-changing incident gave me a different perspective on my own brain health.
"I know that, as a young and healthy person, it's not something people necessarily think about as potentially impacting them. I hope that these conversations will help other players begin to think about their own long-term health and wellbeing."
Fletcher returned to Bath City in August and made one appearance from the bench later that month as the 2023-24 season began.
Last week, he announced he was joining fellow sixth-tier club Weston-super-Mare AFC for the rest of the campaign.
Alex Fletcher reflects on life-threatening skull injury which left him in five-day coma
Fletcher made his first club visit in his new role this week, to League One side Exeter City.
"He is an impressive young man with a unique perspective on the importance of brain health," said PFA chief executive Maheta Molango.
"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."