Aldershot Town defender Ollie Harfield has described his return to action after a serious knee injury as a "surreal experience". The 28-year-old full-back missed 717 days of play following the injury.
Harfield started for Aldershot against West Ham U21s in the National League Cup on Tuesday night. He played for just over 30 minutes before leaving the pitch to a standing ovation.
The injury, sustained in September 2024 during a National League match, involved torn ligaments and a dislocated knee. Harfield stated he was told by nine people that his football career was over and that there was a fear he could lose his leg.
He joined Aldershot in 2022 from Weymouth, making 96 appearances and registering 10 assists prior to his injury. Harfield has documented his recovery on TikTok, with his initial injury video gaining over 13 million views.