This time last year things were going great for Ethan Holt.
His goals were helping to send AFC Dunstable into the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central play-offs, the chance to play at Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road in the final of the Bedfordshire Senior Cup sat on the horizon and a number of higher level clubs were closely monitoring the teenager’s fantastic progress.
It was during that aforementioned Bedfordshire Senior Cup final that Holt tore his ACL, with scans subsequently revealing that he required surgery and faced a lengthy spell of at least a year on the sidelines.
“The first thing I did when I was given the news was call my coach, JT [AFC Dunstable manager, James Townsend],” Holt recalled. “I’m not embarrassed to say that I broke down in tears as I spoke to him; it was heart-breaking considering how I felt I was performing and realising how long I was going to be out for.
“Playing football was – and still is - my life; there was so much to look forward to and then all of a sudden it was taken away from me, all from an innocuous challenge where I just fell awkwardly. It was no-one’s fault, just one of those things.
“But as an 18 year-old to find out that it was going to be at least a year before I could even consider playing again was tough both physically and mentally. The long road to recovery began and I had to watch the lads in the play-offs from the sidelines, which was hard, before knuckling down to the rehabilitation over the summer and into this season.
“The physios, along with my family and friends, have been so supportive and really helped me. There have been ups and downs along the way, of course, but I have remained focused and the club has kept me involved, which has been a big help.
“There’s a new group of players here this season, but they are a great set of lads and I have enjoyed getting to know them during my rehab. Their talent doesn’t reflect their position in the table in what is another extremely competitive Division One Central this season.”
There were more tears at the weekend, but this time they were tears of joy as Holt was introduced as a late substitute in the dramatic 3-2 victory over Hertford Town.
“Saturday was emotional,” continued Holt. “I knew that I wasn’t going to get long on the pitch, but just to put my kit on and be part of it again was massive for me. It’s been just under a year since I last played so to be back out there again meant so much.
“Yes, there were a few tears shed at the end! There are so many people who have played a part in my journey to get back onto the pitch and I am so grateful to each and every one of them. This is just the start and if anything, I am even more determined and focussed to make my way in the game and make up for lost time.
“My short-term goal is to continue building up my fitness levels and see what the rest of the season offers me. I know that I have to be sensible and not try to do too much, too soon, but I’ve got the buzz of being involved back again – you don’t realise how much you miss it until it is gone.
“If I can make a contribution to a positive end to the season for the club, I will be happy. We’re back in the Bedfordshire Senior Cup final at Kenilworth Road again next month, so it would be nice to be involved in that.
“The Gaffer and coaches here have been absolutely fantastic, so too have my team-mates and the supporters. I am lucky to be surrounded by good people and that’s why I have got back a little earlier than expected.
“Long-term, the dream never changes. As I say, if anything I want to make it into professional football even more now. It’s a tough world; football can give you so much joy but it can also turn on you when you least expect it.”
AFC Dunstable are back in action on Tuesday evening with a home game against Kings Langley.
IMAGE: @lbabaie_photography
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