Published on: 13/04/18
Three years after a blood clot on the brain and two strokes left him fighting for his life, Connor returned to a rugby league pitch for the first time on Sunday to play as part of the Physical Disability Rugby League.
Connor was a junior player due to have a trial at Hull KR when he collapsed after a match aged just 14.
He was placed in an induced coma and heard medical staff telling his family he might not pull through, without being able to respond.
He told Mirror Sport: “The doctor said ‘we might lose him’ and no kid wants to hear that.
“It was awful - I couldn’t even speak to say goodbye if I did go.”
On Sunday he played again, lining up for Wakefield Trinity alongside former Super League stars Alan Hunte, Keith Mason and Nigel Wright.
Connor’s story is one of many found in the new version of the sport, Physical Disability Rugby League, which allows players with various disabilities to line up alongside able bodied participants.
It meant that Connor - who is still prone to mini strokes - could realise a life-long dream of playing for a professional rugby league club.
He said: “I was nervous before the game because of the injury I’d had through rugby, but once I got into it couldn’t stop smiling.
“I instantly fell in love with it after the first training session.”
To read Connor's full story, click here.
The full story of Connor's experience of Physical Disability Rugby League can be found here.
