A FOOTBALLER who lost a leg in a road accident vowed today to walk again within months.

Alan Rudkin, who marks his 21st birthday today, spoke of his determination to get back to normal life after the accident and coming to terms with never playing football again.

The former Thomas Hardye schoolboy, of Alington Road, Dorchester, was only in his first season playing for Moreton at the time of the accident three weeks ago.

Speaking from Salisbury District Hospital he said: "I have just been able to get in a wheelchair after weeks in bed so it's a big relief that I can get up.

"My treatment is going well and although I don't think I will be able to play football again I am happy that I will be able to do normal things."

Following the serious collision on the A31, near the Hampshire border, Alan was taken by air ambulance to hospital where surgeons managed to save his upper left leg and knee.

Alan also has a fractured right leg and will require months of treatment and a prosthetic leg before he can walk again.

His mother Pat, 53, said she was amazed how strong and positive her son has been.

She said: "We were really pleased that the surgeon was able to save his knee because they think he will be able to get a prosthetic leg and walk again.

"At first it was a total shock for everyone but now Alan is doing remarkably well and all the support he has had from his friends and team-mates has been fantastic."

Last week Alan's current and former team-mates took to the pitch to raise money for him. Alan plans to donate the money to the air ambulance.

Friend and team-mate Robbie Rolls, 22, organised the charity match between Moreton and Alan's former team Crossways to raise money for him.

He said: "It was a big shock when we heard about Alan's crash and we wanted to do something for him.

"We were really pleased with the turn-out and hopefully Alan was too. In total we raised £680."

During the match Alan got regular phone updates from his sister Natalie who was watching the game.

Alan, a yardsman at Coopers Wholesale on the Grove Trading Estate in Dorchester, added: "I was really pleased and grateful that Robbie organised the match and I would have liked to be there. I'd like to thank him for all his support and hopefully we will raise a lot of money for the air ambulance that helped me after the accident."

Crossways manager Brian Stoodley said: "Alan used to play for both our team and Morton and so many of us really liked Alan and we wanted to do something for him at this time."

Friends and family of the team cheered on the two teams during the match, which ended 3-0 to Crossways.

Mrs Rudkin added: "The match was a lovely idea, really quite touching because Alan loves his football and it meant a lot to him."

The Moreton football team and friends and colleagues of Alan plan to organise further events this summer in order to raise more money for the air ambulance.

For more information of further events to donate money contact 07738 457314.