AFC Bournemouth
As well as all the medical procedures and processes, Ben Winterburn injected a large dose of positivity into his rehabilitation.
A second-year scholar at AFC Bournemouth, Winterburn has just hit the comeback trail following an 11-month injury layoff.
The midfielder was just 17 when his career was turned upside down after he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in January 2022.
Winterburn had shot to prominence by playing a starring role in the Cherries’ emphatic 4-0 win over West Brom in the Premier League Cup and by helping the under-18s reach the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup.
But on a fateful night at Boreham Wood’s Meadow Park headquarters, his season of promise came to a premature halt after Winterburn had come off the bench during the second half of the Cherries’ defeat by Arsenal in the Premier League Cup.
Winterburn, who joined the club as an under-11, returned to competitive action when he made substitute appearances in the EFL Youth Alliance against Portsmouth on Saturday and in the Premier League Cup against QPR on Monday.
He told afcb.co.uk: “It’s been a long road and I’m just really glad to be back doing what I love.
“At 17, rupturing your ACL and knowing you’re going to be out for a long time was very challenging.
“I feared the worst when it happened. I went in for a 50-50 with one of their players and my knee collapsed inside my bodyline.
“It wasn’t a bad tackle, it was just the way I was tackled. It wasn’t even a foul and it was all down to the way I fell.
“Being out for 11 months wasn’t nice but having experienced those physical and mental challenges so early in my career will stand me in good stead in the future. I just feel I’ll be better equipped to deal with anything which is thrown at me.
“It was tough, especially early on in my rehab. But I knew I had to accept it for what it was and get on with it.
“Sulking or feeling sorry for myself wasn’t going to help at all. The situation wasn’t going to change and I knew I was going to be back out there at some point so was determined to have a positive mindset.
“I had huge support from people inside and outside of the club, my family and friends, all the medical staff and my surgeon Andy Williams. I am extremely grateful to the club for making it possible for me to have the best medical care.
“I couldn’t have done it without all the people around me and I’ve got everything to give back for what they’ve done for me.”
Winterburn, whose cousin Holly Winterburn plays basketball for England, will be hoping to feature when the Cherries host Liverpool in the third round of the FA Youth Cup at Vitality Stadium on Thursday (2pm kick-off).
As a first-year scholar, he started in wins over Exeter City and QPR last season but missed the fifth-round defeat by Leicester City after sustaining his injury just ten days before the clash.
And having grown up as a supporter of Manchester United, pitting himself against the Reds has given Winterburn extra motivation since the draw was made.
He added: “Missing the Leicester game last season will be something I will want to bring to the game on Thursday, if selected.
“I don’t know whether I’ll be involved or how many minutes I’ll get if I am. If I get an opportunity, I’ll try my best, as I do in every game.
“My family are all Manchester United supporters and I was as a kid so it’s a game I would love to be involved in.
“These are the games we live for in our careers and these are the ones we all want to play in. I know everybody is really looking forward to it.”
Winterburn was keen to extend his thanks to all members of the academy medical staff and gave special mention to Tom Shineton (academy senior physio), Matt Best (academy rehabilitation coordinator), Ben Bradley (academy head of sports science and medicine) and Jordan Tyrer (academy lead sports scientist) together with coach Alan Connell.
Click here for information on how to buy tickets for the FA Youth Cup third-round clash against Liverpool on Thursday.
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