Harfield's 'surreal' return after 717-day injury lay-off

Aldershot Town defender Ollie Harfield says that his return to action after a serious knee injury that saw him miss 717 days was a "surreal experience".

The 28-year-old tore ligaments and dislocated his knee during a National League match in September 2024 where there was a fear he could lose his leg.

Harfield was told by nine people that his footballing career was over, but defied those odds as he made his return to the pitch on Tuesday night.

The full-back started for the Shots against West Ham U21s in the National League Cup, playing just over 30 minutes before leaving the pitch to a standing ovation.

"It was unbelievable to be honest and a surreal experience for me," Harfield told BBC Radio Surrey.

"It's something that I've been thinking about for nearly two years now to do it last night was unbelievable.

"I got an amazing ovation when I came out and then obviously when I came off in the 34th minute it was just everything that I've dreamed of over the last two years and I just can't wait to do it in a proper National League game with a full stadium."

Harfield has documented his recovery from the serious knee injury on his TikTok account, with the initial video of his injury gaining more than 13 million views.

The top comment on that video is from Tottenham midfielder James Maddison who was wishing him luck in his recovery.

Harfield joined Aldershot in 2022 from Weymouth and has made 96 appearances, registering 10 assists.

In the video where he sustained his injury he is seen challenging for a ball with a York City player before falling to the floor and immediately calling for help.

The oposition player comes to Harfield's aid before clutching his head in disbelief having caught sight of his disfigured knee.

"My leg just got caught in the ground in a 50-50 and I went down and I saw my leg was facing the wrong way," Harfield added.

"I was obviously rushed straight to hospital and realised that I'd ruptured everything possible, broken multiple bones and found out I could have lost my leg in the injury.

"It was a really bad injury, but it's just amazing to be here now and over the other side of it, to be honest."