A GIFTED sportsman has pledged to get back on the pitch this year, just weeks after doctors said he may never walk again.

Determined Sean Bailey, of Billington Avenue, was warned he could face life in a wheelchair with irreversible spinal injures following a freak tackle while captaining Vulcan Football team.

The 22-year-old broke the right side of his neck during the semi-final clash with Silver Birch club, leaving him paralysed and only able to move his head.

But despite a gruelling five hours on the operating table, Mr Bailey, who plays football five times a week, refused to give up.

He said: "I'll be training again in December despite what the specialist says.

"When it happened, I felt like someone had taken off my head, pulled out my spine and put my head back on - I lost all feeling from my neck down, I felt like my life had ended.

"The feeling is coming back and I am able to make some movement in everything except my right leg.

"I just want to get back in the gym and play footy again."

Since the accident on April 2, Mr Bailey has undergone two hours of intensive physiotherapy daily and has now been transferred from Warrington Hospital to a spinal unit in Oswestry, Wales, on Tuesday to further his recovery.

Mr Bailey, who works for Zentrex in Manchester and is a weekly contributor to the Newton and Golborne Guardian, has received more than 100 cards from well-wishers - so much that hospital staff requested they be taken home.

Mr Bailey added: "The support has been tremendous, as have VFC, Warrington Soccer League and Silver Birch.

"It was simply an unlucky accident."

Although he faces up to six months of treatment in the rehabilitation centre, the footballer said he bears no ill feeling to the opposition player involved in the incident.

Stuart Morley, chairman of VFC, said: "Sean is invaluable to this club not only as captain but through the extra time he puts in.

"Let's hope we raise the league trophy on Saturday to give Sean a smile from his hospital bed."