A nudge in the back. A bump getting in the car. A trip down the stairs. That’s how close Ched Evans was to paralysis.
The North End striker has been out of action for seven months after developing a serious medical condition discovered after a match against Rotherham United in March, but things had been going on much longer than that.
Experiencing blackouts on the pitch; feeling ‘electric shocks’ through his body; losing all the feeling in his arms. Two years of symptoms – which Ched was keeping to himself, such was his desire to keep playing – came to a head earlier this year.
“The next day, I couldn’t remember my kids’ names, so that worried me a bit. I couldn’t remember the baby’s name,” he disclosed.
“Then I came into training the day after, I think I just walked around and went home. I thought I’d trained.
“I remember Jacko (Matt Jackson, Head of Medicine) ringing me and asking where I was, and I think that set the alarm bells off for him.
“He suggested we go and see a specialist. In the back of my mind, I knew what the surgeon was going to say because of the symptoms I’d been feeling for a couple of years.
“We went down to London and he asked me when I thought about retiring and I said, ‘When my body gives up’ and he just replied with, ‘I think that’s it now, you’re so close to being paralysed from the neck down’.”
Unsurprisingly taken aback by the news, despite it being somewhat expected, Ched then faced the difficult job of telling his friends, family, and teammates.
Surgery would follow to take away the amount of pressure which was being put on the striker’s spinal cord, which was causing the electric shocks, and that surgery was a success.
The process was long, though, and Ched had a few appointments where he thought good news was coming, but another setback would come instead, until earlier this month when the green light was given for him to return to full-contact training whenever he felt ready.
“For me, it was straight away,” he said. “They talked about the psychological effect it could have on you, but luckily I’ve been one of those players who’s not really worried about hurting myself, hence why this went on for so long.
“The reality of it is there’s no risk like there was seven months ago.
“I’m fit. Obviously I need to play games and stuff like that, but for me it’s turned out to be the perfect outcome, although it’s taken a while to get there.
“I can only be grateful I am here today and able to play football again which is mega.”
The severity of the situation has opened the 34-year-old’s eyes to how much power football has over him.
Coming into the training ground everyday and not being able to kick or head a ball, or join his teammates on the pitch was hurting.
But it wasn’t just about that. Away from football, he’s a husband and a father, and that comes first.
He said: “I should be thankful everyday that I can walk and play football, and more importantly have a life with my kids because that was a genuine fear for me and my wife that I want to grow up being able to go on a bike ride and play football with my kids. That was the biggest fear.”
After a long seven months of ups and downs, watching his teammates play at the weekend and start the season so well, he’ll finally have his part to play this Saturday.
The striker is available and in contention to feature as North End take on Millwall, and he can no doubt expect to receive a rousing reception if he gets onto the pitch. Ched also paid special thanks to the supporters for their help through his recent journey.
He said: “The club has been so supportive and I couldn’t thank them enough. The lads have been 100% behind me and my family.
“But when I’ve been going to games on a Saturday fans have been puling over and asking about my neck and when I would be back. That helps.
“As much as it’s just a 20 or 30 second conversation, it gives you that fire to think, ‘You know what? Actually this is what I’m doing it for’.
“It’s going to be special for me on Saturday because I know what could have been, so I’m going to so humbled and I’m so excited for it.
“I’m looking forward to it like you wouldn’t believe.”
Watch our full 23-minute interview with Ched by clicking here or hit play on the video above.