Stab victim Ronnie has the courage to be a true United hero

Last updated 12:59, Wednesday, 03 September 2008

ONLY Ronnie Wallwork knows the depths of despair he must have felt while lying in a hospital bed wondering if his football career was over after a horrific knife attack.

Ronnie Wallwork

The former Manchester United midfielder needed an emergency operation after suffering seven stab wounds to his stomach, back and hand when he was attacked by a jealous love rival in a Manchester bar.

Wallwork was lucky to survive never mind pull on a pair of football boots again.

It says everything about Wallwork’s mental strength and determination that he was able to pick up his football career again with spells at Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday.

Wallwork is still only 30 and, 18 months on from his life being devastated by a frenzied and unprovoked attack, it would be great if he could get his career back on track with Carlisle United after joining them on trial.

His attacker was jailed for five and a half years – but Wallwork has the perfect opportunity to prove that happiness and success are the best forms of revenge.