Forward is thankfully on the mend now after going through difficult time earlier in the year

Billy Healey expressed his gratitude to Wingate & Finchley and Hanwell Town after Saturday’s charity match.

The game was arranged for the 25-year-old after suffering horrific injuries following a freak accident earlier this year.

Healey spent three and a half weeks in intensive care fighting the life-threatening sepsis, after initially undergoing surgery on a ruptured bowl and torn kidney.

The PE teacher from Finchley is fortunately on the mend now and was overwhelmed by the support he received during his recovery.

“I am doing much better now. It has been about five months since the injury, so I am on the better side of my recovery,” Healey told WingateTV.

“Slowly I am doing more every day like going for walks and trying to walk a bit further. It will be a long time until I am back competing again, but I am on the positive side of my recovery now.”

Even after fighting off sepsis, Healey had more issues after getting an infected gut and the doctors then discovered he had a second tear in his bowl.

Thankfully now he is recovery well and was present at Hanwell Town to see two of his former sides do battle.

Wingate claimed the bragging rights in the Healey derby with Reece Beckles-Richards netting the only goal of the game.

“It was a brilliant occasion and very humbling to see two of my teams come together to do such a thing,” said Healey.

“The support I have got from other teams in different leagues I have played against has been really good.

“Wingate set up the online fundraiser and Hanwell sorted the game, so I am feeling the love from both clubs.”

Healey continued: “I appreciate all the support I have had and the messages and the tweets. Like I said before it has been humbling.

“There were a few rough periods where I was in hospital and to get messages and good words and support from a lot of people was very nice.”

Wingate are back in action on Saturday when they host Royston Town, while Haringey Borough host Uxbridge at Coles Park.