Good Friday? It was a fantastic Friday for Jake Bunyan as he returned to action after just over two years out through an ACL tear that required surgery.
The Biggleswade Town man entered the action for the final 15 minutes of their Pitching In Southern League Premier Central game at Bromsgrove Sporting and whilst it ended in a 23rd defeat of a difficult season for his side, just to be playing again meant the world to him.
“740 days,” he said as the interview began. “That’s how long I was out for; I counted each and every one of them.
“Mentally it has been very challenging. There have been so many ups and downs along the way, it’s an extremely lonely process, which I have taken day-by-day.
“The hardest part for me was trying to understand the next stage of my rehab; as I’m not in a full-time environment anymore, I didn’t have the daily guidance I would have had at a professional club.
“My family have been a massive driving force for me. They have given so much over the years to help me make my way in the game and the feeling of letting them down if I didn’t give my all through this was enough to keep me going through even the darkest of days.
“They have always been so supportive and travelled the country to watch me play, so to be out of action over the past couple of years has been hard for us all.
“The injury has definitely affected me mentally, but I know that by being out there, back amongst the lads and playing games, I will be able to overcome it and get back to how I was previously.
“I want to use these final two games of the season to gain some confidence and try to get back into the swing of things again. I’d like to think that I can show everyone what they have been missing.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit nervous when I came on in the last game, but it was a fantastic moment and made all of the hard work feel worthwhile.
“Hopefully I can build on the minutes now in these remaining games.
“It’s been a very tough season for us, there’s no escaping that. A lot of the players are new to this level, but they’ve given their all, as have the management. It’s an unforgiving League with some big clubs involved.
“I just wish that I would have had the opportunity to try and help the team, but my focus is now fixed on enjoying my football again and seeing how far it can take me.”
Promotion-chasing Kettering Town arrive on Bank Holiday Monday before the season ends at Leiston next weekend.
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