1 week Ago By [email protected] (Andrew Forgrave)
A veteran rugby player suffered a "life-changing" injury just weeks after quitting a corporate career to launch his own business in Denbighshire . Ash Bishop wanted to spend more time with his family but he now faces a year’s recovery and may never be able to return to his new venture. The 38-year-old dad-of-two is a stalwart at Rhyl and District RFC who had only recently hung up his boots.
However he agreed to make one last appearance to help up-and-coming players in a friendly match – a decision that was to have “horrendous” consequences. Making a tackle, he landed awkwardly, dislocating his ankle and shattering his talus bone, which connects the foot to the leg. After 10 days at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd hospital, the back row forward had seven rods implanted on Tuesday, October 15.
He faces more surgery in three months. READ MORE: Why well known Welsh beach has been left looking like a 'sandy Scalextric' READ MORE: Storm Ashley looms for North Wales with 80mph winds and floods threat Realising the implications, the dad-of-two messaged the rugby club’s WhatsApp group from his hospital bed. “I told them all to get themselves sports insurance,” he said.
“So many lads play rugby week in week out without insurance, and for me it’s been devastating. “I’ve insurance for the house and for the business but you need to to get separate cover for sports. We been lucky in having lots of emotional support from friends and rugby community.
But I need to support my family and what’s happened has put a real strain on our finances. It's something other players need to be aware of.” He’s married to Rebecca, a project coordinator, and the couple live in Rhyl with their two young boys, Charlie, six, and Freddie, two.
This summer he left his job as a contract manager for US giant GE Vernova, an energy company formed this year from the merger of General Electric’s various energy businesses. A little over a month ago he set up A Bishop Electrical Ltd to provide residential and commercial services as a self-employed electrician. Facing a five-hour wait for an ambulance, after his accident, Ash was instead rushed to hospital by a coaching colleague.
He spend three days in an A&E corridor before being moved to a ward. “I’ve barely seen the boys since I’ve been here,” he said. “It’s hard but I wouldn’t want them to see what it’s like here.
” Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Originally from South Wales, Ash had a distinguished rugby career in the north, more latterly supporting Rhyl's development team while coaching the under sevens. “I was supposed to have stopped playing,” sighed Ash. “But it was just a friendly match - that’s what made it so horrendous.
My foot got planted and when I fell one way, the tackler fell the other way, all of his 18 stone crashing down on my ankle. The pain was horrific.” As his injuries are potentially life-changing, a GoFundMe appeal was set up this week.
An initial £1,000 target was surpassed within 24 hours. The target was raised to £2,000 and this is now close to being reached. Ash said the amount of support was “overwhelming”, adding: “Seeing it brought a tear to my eye.
A player I don’t know from Llangefni on Anglesey rang to ask for my bank details, that was pretty special.” Organising the fundraiser was fellow under sevens coach Thomas Cahill. He said the support being given will make a real difference to Ash and his family.
Thomas added: “Ash is a good person to have around as he is always offering to help others out. I’m relatively new at the club and he was quick to make me welcomed. He supports this club inside out and is a great advocate for the sport of rugby.
” This week’s surgery was designed to ease the pressure on Ash’s ankle. Further multiple major surgeries are scheduled to reset the ankle. He aims to be back on his feet in three months but he’s been told he won’t be walking without pain for at least a year.
Whatever the recovery period, he’s unlikely to have freedom of movement in his shattered ankle. “It’s devastating,” said Ash. “I don’t know what’s going to happen to the business now.
Working as an elecitrician can be physically demanding - lots of climbing up ladders and squeezing into voids. “I may have to look for another job that keeps me behind a desk - which is what I was trying to avoid when I quit my old job. I spent 15 years in the corporate world but wanted to spend more time with my family.
Now I may have to go back into it.” Details of the GoFundMe appeal for Ash can be found here . Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's going on near you.
