Everyone knows in sport how bad the bigger injuries can be. Obviously it means you can’t play the sport you love for a long time, but it has a knock on affect for your mental well-being day to day as well.
Jersey Bulls’ midfielder Ruben Mendes unfortunately experienced this whilst out for a year through an ACL injury.
His comeback on Saturday was dream one though. An equaliser and winning penalty in the FA Vase in front of a bumper home crowd is brilliant for any player, but extra special if you are making your return from the side-lines.
Dan sat down with Ruben and asked him about the injury, his return and FA Vase hopes for the Bulls.
Firstly, how tough was it being out for so long?
Mentally it’s one of the toughest things I’ve had to endure, so there is definitely sympathy from me to anyone that is currently going through rehab. Prior to my ACL I was always fit and available so 12 months of not being able to kick a football was tough. Luckily I had a great Physio (Adam @physiofit) who kept me in line during the latter stages.
How good has it been to be training with the lads again?
I’ve probably been back in training since October but being able to kick a football again with the lads was something I took for granted initially. So it’s been great being back in amongst it for the last few months and feeling a part of the team again.
Were you nervous to come back into the match day squad?
I was available the week prior and I’ve been ready for a few weeks so there wasn’t any nerves in that respect. Match sharpness is something you can’t really replicate in training so if anything it was more maybe self doubting whether I was ready in that aspect.
How big a moment was it to get subbed on last Saturday for yourself?
Yeah great, I mean, ideal scenario would have been to be 2-0 ahead and I could have eased myself back into the fold. There was only one more substitution available and we had a strong bench. However, thankfully Gary trusted me to hopefully create something and it paid off.
You scored the equaliser and the winning penalty – describe the emotions of the game?
It’s definitely not something I thought was going to happen. It’s nice to take the plaudits individually but I was happier celebrating in the changing rooms with all the lads as you can’t beat that feeling in football!
Into the last 16 – how determined are the team to go all the way in the FA Vase this year?
We are a confident team.. (sometimes too confident) and we back ourselves to get to the final and hopefully win. There is also an element of luck in getting all the way, Saturday being one. The boys have done great thus far to get us to where we are and hopefully we can push on in the next home game, get a big crowd and see us into the Quarter finals.
Good luck to Ruben and all at Jersey Bulls for the rest of the season!
