A NEWTON Abbot-born footballer is in a ‘stable but critical’ condition after sustaining a head injury during a match on Tuesday night.

Alex Fletcher, 23, collided with advertising hoardings just five minutes into Bath City’s Vanarama National League South tie with Dulwich Hamlet.

The match was abandoned nearly 30 minutes after the incident, with the emergency services allegedly not arriving until 10 minutes after that.

A club statement released by Bath on Wednesday morning said: ‘Unfortunately, Alex has sustained a severe head injury as a result of last night’s events.

‘He required emergency neurosurgery to stabilise his condition and was then admitted to intensive care where he remains in a stable but critical condition.

‘Alex’s family would like to thank everyone for their best wishes that have been sent.’

Fletcher, who attended Torquay Boys’ Grammar School, rose through the ranks of Plymouth Argyle’s academy before turning professional in 2017. The forward spent time on loan at Torquay United, Aldershot Town and Tiverton Town over the years to come, before joining Tiverton permanently in 2020.

After impressing at Tiverton, he moved to Bath in January 2021 for an undisclosed fee. In 48 appearances since his arrival, Fletcher has netted 20 goals.

A supporter at Tuesday’s match told the Mid-Devon Advertiser: ‘Alex was chasing down a ball along the touchline. Unfortunately, his momentum took him straight into the concrete wall displaying the advertising hoarding behind the goal.

‘I was immediately concerned due to the terrible sound the collision produced. From my vantage you couldn’t see how he hit the wall and was hoping he’d managed to protect his head.

‘There’s no blame for this upsetting accident, but I feel it questions the practicality of pitch-side hoardings at all grounds, not just Bath’s. I have seen numerous similar incidents previously at other grounds where players have had to vault-over or take evasive measures.’

The two sides agreed to abandon the game around 8.15pm. It will be rearranged in the future, but no date has been announced yet.

‘The atmosphere after the incident was subdued; once the players were sent back into their dressing rooms, I think more people realised the severity of what had taken place.

‘Everyone seemed agreed on abandoning the game, also demonstrated by the heartfelt applause once the decision was announced.’