Bath City send heartfelt message of thanks following the horrific head injury to Alex Fletcher

Bath City have sent a heartfelt message of thanks following the serious head injury to striker Alex Fletcher on Tuesday night.

Bath's game with Dulwich Hamlet last week had to be stopped in the 5th minute after Fletcher crashed head-first into a concrete advertising board on the side of the pitch.

After an initial stoppage of 30 minutes, to allow the striker some treatment, the match was abandoned as he left Twerton Park in an ambulance and remains in intensive care at Southmead Hospital in Bristol.

Bath City immediately postponed its next two matches and today sent a message via their Twitter feed thanking everyone for their love and support for Fletcher.

The post read: 'We'd like to send our heartfelt gratitude to all of the clubs and fans that have sent messages and shown their support for Alex over the last few days.

Fletch is in the minds and hearts of us all and the reaction from the footballing world - and beyond - has been inspiring.'

Fletcher underwent emergency neurosurgery during Tuesday night and his parents released a statement stating that he remained in a stable but critical condition.

A fundraiser has now been set up by fan Georgia Beale to support the 23-year-old and his family, where they have already raised over £5000.

Beale said: 'Everyone is deeply saddened by what happened and this fundraiser is to provide his family and loved ones with support at a time when they may have to take time off from work, or may incur personal costs.

The whole of the Bath City family, and the footballing world beyond, are behind Alex and are sending their unconditional love, strength and support to both Alex and his loved ones.'

The exact circumstances of the incident that saw Fletcher suffer the horrific injury remain unclear, but fans on social media have suggested he was knocked out after challenging for possession and then was unintentionally shoved into the advertising hoarding.

Fletcher joined Bath from Plymouth in 2021 and scored 19 goals last season as he was named the club's Player of the Season.