Footballer’s thanks to supporters as he takes his first steps (From Echo)

Footballer’s thanks to supporters as he takes his first steps

11:00am Friday 10th February 2012 in Local News By Melissa Hills

A FOOTBALLER has thanked well-wishers for their touching messages of support after he suffered devastating injuries in an attack.

Billericay Town goalkeeper Nicky Morgan, 26, has received dozens of cards, presents, letters and e-mails since the incident outside the Sugar Hut in Brentwood, on October 28 last year.

Nicky has made great progress in his last two weeks, while staying at the National Spinal Injuries Unit, at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, in Buckinghamshire.

He has already taken his first steps since the attack in the hydrotherapy pool.

Doctors predicted Nicky’s rehabilitation at the hospital would take about five months.

He was left with serious injuries because his head hit a kerb after he was attacked.

Nicky said: “I want to say a big thank-you to all those people who have sent me cards and letters since the attack.

“It was really strange at first, getting cards from people I didn’t know.

“But it’s been really nice at the same time to know lots of people are thinking about me. I have been really touched.

“I am really determined to walk out of this hospital, but you have to take each day as it comes because all the progress I have made could plateau.

“I just don’t know what is going to happen from one day to the next.

“But I am setting myself little goals all the time and when I achieve them it feels really good.”

Nicky was due to have his first trip outside the hospital on Saturday, with a meal out at Italian restaurant Prezzo, in Aylesbury, but it had to be called off because of the snowfall.

Nicky, who has lost five stone since the attack, added: “One of the most amazing presents I have had was an offer from Andy Marshall, who is the goalkeeper at Aston Villa, who said I could come to a game with a bunch of my friends.

“I am really looking forward to that. Thinking about the things coming up in the future is helping me look forward and keep a positive attitude about everything.”