Whenever there is a terribly sad story in the rugby league world, fans come together like perhaps in no other sport.
Whether it’s been Rob Burrow’s fight against Motor Neurone Disease, Kevin Sinfield’s incredible marathon targets, Frank Pritchard’s fight against COVID-19 or Mose Masoe’s harrowing injury, the rugby league fraternity has prided itself on raising tremendous amounts of awareness as well as funding when necessary.
For one youngster, in particular, his story has been one of a continuous fight against the odds.
When Connor Lynes, who had been on the Hull KR academy roster, returned home after playing a rugby league match for Lambwath Lions in 2015, he was found collapsed on the bathroom floor after a blood clot.
Lynes suffered two strokes and had to undergo operations to remove the blood clot – those were successful and Lynes began a slow but determined recovery, just four years after suffering a horrendous broken leg which almost ended his career in 2011.
Incredibly, the youngster returned to rugby league with the Physical Disability Rugby League competition in 2018 and established his own charity.
And, now he has revealed just how tough his journey has been right from birth.
Lynes posted this on Twitter: “My name is Connor. My dad died when I was 1, My mam left me when I was 3, My nan died when I was 9, I suffered serious leg injury age 10, I suffered 2 life threatening strokes age 14. Next month I turn 21 ! A milestone I would never reach. #nevergiveup #believeinyourself“.
My name is Connor
My dad died when I was 1,
My mam left me when I was 3,
My nan died when I was 9,
I suffered serious leg injury age 10,
I suffered 2 life threatening strokes age 14.
Next month I turn 21 !
A milestone I would never reach. 💪❤#nevergiveup #believeinyourself pic.twitter.com/fsbZNNk9E0— Connor lynes (@con_lynes) January 4, 2022
