Tributes pour in for inspirational Ali
Dec 2 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal
:: To leave your tributes to Ali Johnson click here
THE RUGBY world last night paid tribute to inspirational Northumberland player Ali Johnson, who died yesterday following a stroke.
The popular 28-year-old, whose bravery after being paralysed during a match won the hearts of the region, suffered the stroke last week and passed away peacefully in hospital yesterday afternoon surrounded by his family.
Ali, from Coanwood, near Haltwhistle, was a former Tynedale Rugby Club prop forward who was paralysed when he broke his neck when a scrum collapsed against Fylde in 2004.
A fund was set up in his name to raise funds for his rehabilitation. Wristbands were sold by the thousand and events across the region took the total of the fund beyond £200,000.
Last night Rugby Football Union President Brian Williams led the tributes, offering sympathies to the Johnson family and the thousands across the North who have supported Ali over the past four years.
He said: “My thoughts and those of all the Rugby Union fraternity at this sad time are with his family. Ali was obviously a very special lad who has shown immense courage in dealing with his problems.
“Throughout his difficulties, he never lost his love of rugby and made trips to Twickenham and Kingston Park to watch England and the Falcons, as well as to Tynedale, where he remained in close touch with his many friends and former teammates.
“The amount of support he received from Tynedale RFC in particular was immense and a testament to the calibre of the lad and the affection with which he was held at the club. I know how much his friends within the game and outside it in the North East did to help him in difficult circumstances and my sympathies go out to them at a time when they will be deeply saddened by Ali’s tragic passing.”
Speaking hours after Ali’s death, his father Ken said: “He died this afternoon with his family round about him, at Hexham Hospital, peacefully. That’s really all I can say at the moment.”
In April Ali attended the opening of his former club’s new £350,000 changing rooms – an event at which he was the guest of honour. The revamped facilities incorporated a disabled ramp – making it much easier for Ali to watch games and visit the club.
He maintained an intensive physiotherapy regime and was set to move into a new house.
After his injury he lived with his parents – Ken and Sheila – but battled to get planning permission for a specially designed bungalow, near their home and perfect for his needs.
His original application was refused last year because planning officials felt the site was inappropriate and the design unsympathetic to the area. The decision sparked an angry response from Ali’s many supporters, more than 400 of whom signed a protest petition.
But a revised application was approved by members of Tynedale Council’s development control committee in November last year and Ali was said to be excited at the prospect of his new house.
Douglas Hamilton, chief executive of Tynedale Rugby Club, said: “It’s so sad because it’s come after he had been in such good form and was building his bungalow. He was really looking forward. There’s nothing more for me to say other than we are really depressed and our thoughts are with the family at the present time.”
The RFU’s pastoral care team have been in regular touch with Ali’s family at Haltwhistle and on the day of his stroke last week, sports injury administrator Dave Phillips was at the family home discussing the next stage of the house-building project. RFU Leisure Rugby Manager Alan Black, who has kept in constant touch with Ali and his family since 2004, said: “What impressed me was his courage and his bravery and the cheerful approach he managed to adopt throughout his difficulties.”
Harold Forster, leader of Tynedale Council, said: “We are terribly sorry to hear this news.
“All our thoughts are with Ali’s family and friends at this sad time.”
:: To leave your tributes to Ali Johnson click here
Related articles:
Tynedale hero to salute side - Apr 11 2008
