EVER since Jordan Chiedozie was struck by a car while stood on the hard shoulder of the M27 in a near-fatal crash, the non-league community has rallied to support the former Cherries academy player.
Jordan was heading back from playing for Bashley at Tavistock with club physio Reighan Taylor on February 1, when they pulled over after a flat tyre.
He was then struck at speed by a car and thrown some distance on the road, before being rushed to hospital in Southampton.
Reighan was physically unhurt but was left traumatised by the incident.
This week, nearly six weeks after the incident, Jordan has returned home from hospital to his partner Michaela to continue his recovery.
The GoFundMe page was set up soon after the incident by his teammates, with Jordan already a fan favourite at the club, despite only playing at the club for four games to that date.
Clubs from across the division and the area responded immediately.
Mousehole in Cornwall announced a collection would be held at their next game after the incident and Tavistock, Bideford, Westbury and Shaftesbury organised fan collections, among others.
Jordan’s former clubs AFC Totton, Sholing and Poole Town also showed their support with collections, as well as Wimborne Town, who held collections at two of their home games.
Wessex League clubs including Hythe and Dibden, Millbrook and Laverstock and Ford also helped, with the Southern League itself making a four-figure donation.
And last week, Bashley’s opponents Bishops Cleeve made a standout contribution to the fund.
The Gloucestershire club put Jordan on the cover of the match day programme, raising £1,000 in total in a collection during the week before the game, at the match itself and online.
They also gave a bouquet of flowers to physio Reighan.
Jordan said about his short time playing for Bashley: “I was really enjoying my football and enjoying being part of a fantastic bunch of lads at a prestigious club.
“Whatever my future holds I will forever be a Bashley fan, cheering the team from the other side of the fence as soon as I’m fit enough to do so.
“Thanks again to everyone not only at our club, but the many other clubs and wonderful football fans who have sent me messages and contributed to the fund the Bashley lads set-up for me.
“The level of kindness towards me, even from people who are not football fans, or from Bashley, is something I will never forget. This was typified by the Bishops Cleeve club and their fans at last Saturday's match.
"I will never be able to thank everyone personally, but I hope my comments will show how truly grateful I am to everyone who has helped in whatever way.”
“If you were with us at Bishops Cleeve last Saturday you will have seen the "football family" at its very best,” he said.
“The way the Bishops Cleeve club reacted to the situation regarding our Jordan Chiedozie, was nothing short of magnificent.
“They organised a collection for Jordan’s fund both before and at the game - they made tannoy announcements and featured Jordan on several pages of their programme, including the entire front page.
“Beyond that they provided a lovely bouquet for our physio, Reighan Taylor, who was, of course, alongside Jordan at the time of that horrible accident.
“And they raised nearly £600 for Jordan’s fund. What a truly magnificent effort, and we can’t thank them enough for their kindness.”
He added: “We’re delighted to say that Jordan is back home and making good progress. So whatever the score today, that’s one "result" that fans of both sides can be delighted with!”
To donate to the fundraiser for Jordan, search 'Jordan Chiedozie' on GoFundMe.
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