sammsky, you're a classy man and I mean that in all sincerity. Thanks for sharing
Darren Fletcher's break from football
- Thread starter Maciej
- Start date
Great gesture Sam!
Respect
Respect
Great stuff.
Good man sammsky, great gesture. I'm sure it's a boost for him to have that kind of kindness from someone who can understand more than the rest of us what it's like to battle with.
When I fell ill 8 years ago, many previous UC sufferers whom had fully recovered (but whom I never knew but were friends of friends etc) wrote to me, visited me and gave me information, direction, hope and inspiration .... so Im merely doing what was done to me at the time as it helped me alot.
Im sure you would all have done the same (written to me or Fletcher) if you had the experience to pass on ... I'd like to think its something any normal human being would do. I'd even write to Suarez with the same info if I came to know he had UC.
Thanks for your kind comments though ... I tell you, ultimately we all take good health so for granted ... and we shouldn't. It the greatest gift God (or whatever you prescribe to) gave us. We need to be so mindful to keep good care of it and be thankful for every day we are given.
Very good post, this. I loved seeing his progression... He was steadily adding traits and tricks to his trade and was an absolute dynamo by the end before his dip in form and illness. To put him in the tier just below Robbo and Keane sort of catches what I think too... If he can return to play and get back into his groove, slowly but surely, we might still see him give us a fair few years of him adding steel to our midfield and drive to our forward play. I'd love that
Skholesy makes some very good points above. The fact that we now know Fletcher has suffered on and off for over 4 years (makes sense as this thing comes and goes) and yet managed to deliver two monumental seasons in 2006/7 and 2007/8 is just phenomenal. Obviously the condition would have been 'in remission' and not been active ... but you still do get the odd symptom and that is at the very least mentally disturbing.Very good post, this. I loved seeing his progression... He was steadily adding traits and tricks to his trade and was an absolute dynamo by the end before his dip in form and illness. To put him in the tier just below Robbo and Keane sort of catches what I think too... If he can return to play and get back into his groove, slowly but surely, we might still see him give us a fair few years of him adding steel to our midfield and drive to our forward play. I'd love that
It may also explain his relatively late development. For a long time when we all jibed that Flech must be SAFs love child as not many could see why SAF persisted with this skinny lad, he was probably affected then too .... but SAF knows talent in young players when he sees it and was just patient and persisted.
I've personally always loved Fletcher .... I credit him and JOS with our 2006/7 PL title, probably my 2nd my favourite PL titles win under SAF (1992/3 obviously being the best!). That season, it was our fringe players who came to the fore along with the newly arrived Carrick and started us off again on a new era of dominance. Given he had the condition even then, my admiration for him has gone up even higher.
Through these actions alone, he has shown without doubt that he has the mental ability to come through.
Good man, Sammsky!
Your a good man Sam! I read your pm and will reply later, I really appreciate it. Gives me strength to read there is a way out!
Weren't his 2 best seasons 08-10?
yes.
Ah, I completely forgot you were the one with personal experience in the matter. Great to hear that you reached out though, Sammsky, and that you got a good response as well.
Be sure to let us know if you ever get the chance to meet up with Fletch!
Be sure to let us know if you ever get the chance to meet up with Fletch!
Good man ! Well done
5Live's commentators reporting he's at the game - John Murray said he didn't look good, Lawro said he'd talked to him and Fletcher had said he was feeling better...
What I'd give for him to make a shock Scholesy like comeback!! Can see it happening before the season end...
What I'd give for him to make a shock Scholesy like comeback!! Can see it happening before the season end...
We could do with him, for sure, but I want him to have a really good break and get back to 100%. His health is more important than our "midfield crisis".
No great surprise but Fergie has confirmed he wont be back this season.
Fingers crossed he's back next year.
Fingers crossed he's back next year.
Of course it would be great to see him return, but primarily I just hope he recovers to as close to full health as possible.
Damn... my other half won't be happy about this at all.
no point rushing him back, health is more important to darren right now.
I think that with the return of Scholes, we can afford to give him as long as he needs. There's really no need to rush him back now.
Just as a matter of interest, would he still be getting paid during this does anyone know?
Just curious.
Just curious
.Of course. What player stops getting paid when they pick up an injury? It's really no different.
He's certain to be paid. No real difference to Vidic missing the rest of the season or before them Owen Hargreaves.Just as a matter of interest, would he still be getting paid during this does anyone know?
Just curious
The way I see it is that his career may be over - any comeback would likely result in a loss of performance and at best, he could return to his previous level but it would be a long time and at his age, it wouldn't be for long.
Either way, he cannot be factored in to our squad and can only be considered a 'bonus'.
Either way, he cannot be factored in to our squad and can only be considered a 'bonus'.
Thanks for the replies.
I was just wondering because I am contracted in at the moment, but doubt I am covered should I become physically unable to do my job! Interesting, that.
I was just wondering because I am contracted in at the moment, but doubt I am covered should I become physically unable to do my job! Interesting, that.
Depends on your employment contact. I get paid six months contractual sick pay(which ain't bad) if I can't work and then I would have to rely on Statutory Sick Pay, the same as most people would, if I was unable to work for longer than that.
Your much more likely to get an injury if you are a sportsmen so their employment contacts would be very different.
You are a proper class act mate.
i keep thinking of the reception he will get should he play again.....sends shivers down my spine just imagining it.....
That is class, man. You made me proud to be a United supporter.
And if Fletch is reading this thread, I have one thing to say to him:
We would have beaten Barca in 2009 if you didnt get unfairly sent off. You were at you peak back then. I wish you all the best in your fight against this unfortunate disease and I hope you will be back at the very best of your footballing form. You are better than Viera at your peak.
Just thinking about him. Know hes gonna be back. Can't wait.
@PeterBolton3
Great news at the Reserves. Darren Fletcher is coaching the pre-game warm up. Scholes was doing this role until promoted back to 1st team!
Great news at the Reserves. Darren Fletcher is coaching the pre-game warm up. Scholes was doing this role until promoted back to 1st team!
Interesting.
I guess we're doing rotations even in the retired-player-working-with-the-reserves role now.
All that matters is the long term health of Fletch. At the end of the day football is just a fecking game.
If it is true and he has in fact battled this awful disease for four years, then this guy is a fecking warrior! Some of his performances in that time have been simply breathtaking.
If it is true and he has in fact battled this awful disease for four years, then this guy is a fecking warrior! Some of his performances in that time have been simply breathtaking.
It is an awful disease, you're right, some days my son couldn't even get to school, so how on earth Fletcher managed to play, and play so well, is amazing.
He's with them for the rest of the season apparently
As long as he keeps working on that beard, he'll make an excellent coach I'm sure!
great news. The other day SAF said that Fletch drove to Carrington as he wanted leave his house and make his mind focus on something else. I think it will be a big psychological boost for the lad, that role. and tbh small things like that make me proud to support United.