Former Town player and coach Bryan Hamilton has spoken for the first time about a gardening accident last year which left him with a serious foot injury. The ex-Northern Irish international was concerned that he would never walk again after his toes were caught in the blades of a lawnmower.

Hamilton's toes were left broken and dislocated, while tendons and arteries were torn. Fortunately surgeons, using arteries and muscles from his arm in an eight-hour operation, were able to save his foot and he is now able to walk unaided.

The ex-midfielder's accident happened at his home last September but he has not spoken about it until now: "I have been unbelievably lucky. I was unlucky to a degree with the way the accident happened, but after that I just count myself as being one of the luckiest guys in the world because I came into contact with so many professional and talented people.

"The grass needed a cut. As I went out the rain just started to spit. I did one run and as I turned to bring the mower in, it started to lock and slip down the bank to the river. I tried to jump off, but as I jumped my foot must have slipped underneath the blades."

Town physio Dave Williams and his 1970s counterpart Brian Simpson helped Hamilton with his recovery.

Photo: Action Images

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