'I was told I'd never play again but comeback is close after open heart surgery'
For roofer Alfie Rutherford, every day he kicks a ball from now on will feel as vivid as a night on the tiles. The Dorking Wanderers striker is nearing a comeback just 10 months after open heart surgery to replace a worn valve.
When Rutherford, 25, was crocked by ruptured knee ligaments early last season, he used the long lay-off as his chance to become the National League's youngest cardiac patient.
He's already back up the ladder, fixing chimney pots, gables and tiles five days a week – and he's “buzzing” at the prospect of resuming his other career after months confined to bed, unable to move. Hopefully Wanderers will have a few more points on the board by the time their prolific poacher (49 goals in 88 appearances) is back – otherwise chairman Marc White might have to consider sacking himself as manager.
But Rutherford's tale is a story to warm the heart of every fan – and a tribute to the miracles available on the NHS.
“I was probably born with a condition called aortic stenosis, but growing up I was asymptomatic and I lived my day-to-day life like anyone else,” he said. “Then I was offered a scholarship by Portsmouth at 16 and my heart issue was flagged up at the medical screening.
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“Pompey said I would not be able to sign for them or play football again, but the FA doctors were fantastic and told me nobody can stop you from playing. I never used to think about it, apart from getting a letter in the post every year inviting me for a check-up, and Dorking Wanderers knew about my condition when they took a chance on me.
“But about 12 months ago, a scan showed the aortic valve that pumps blood around the body was shrinking and was near the minimum limit.
The boss: Marc White is the manager, owner and chairman of Dorking Wanderers (Richard Martin-Roberts/Getty Images)“Then I tore my anterior cruciate ligament against Wrexham – so knowing I was facing a long lay-off, I decided to kill two birds with one stone by getting both my knee and heart sorted. 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.”
Last November, Rutherford underwent open heart surgery in Southampton General Hospital's cardiac unit and was discharged just five days later. But he had to spend the next three months in bed, unable to pick up anything weighing more than a box of matches, because the surgeons had to saw through his sternum (chest bone) to replace his valve with pig tissue.
“I got wheeled into theatre about 6am on a Monday morning and the next thing I know it's 7am the following day, and I'm the oldest one on the ward by about 40 years,” laughed Rutherford. “When I was allowed home, having your mum deliver your breakfast, lunch and dinner in bed every day has its merits.
Dorking Wanderers picked up new fans through their YouTube series (Richard Martin-Roberts/Getty Images)“But I was not allowed to use my arm for anything because of the stress it would put on my sternum, which had been wired back together. Fortunately, the World Cup was on for six weeks, so I passed a lot of the time watching every game. I was allowed to switch channels using the remote control console, but that was about it.
“These surgeons are incredible - I can't thank them enough. When you hear people say doctors and heart specialists should be paid more than footballers, I agree with them.”
Once the super-strength anaesthetic was out of his system, Rutherford was cleared to take on the second half of his double date with the operating theatre. The knee ligament surgery seven months ago was piecemeal by comparison, and now he is only around three weeks from making a comeback.
He said: “I had only been back on my feet for a couple of weeks when I found myself back in bed for a month, but we're nearly there now. I can't wait to feel the grass beneath my feet and to experience the rush of playing football again. I'm going to be like a kid at Christmas.
“The surgery I've had, implanting a tissue valve, has a 95 per cent success rate but it only lasts for about 15 years, so I'll have to go through it again by the time I'm 40. Most people don't know when their careers are going to end, but mine has a ticking clock and I've got 15 years to make the most of it.
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“I could have had a mechanical valve fitted, which lasts longer, but you have to take warfarin (blood-thinning medication) for the rest of your life with that – and it gets complicated if you suffer any cuts or gashes.”
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