A FOOTBALLER who suffered serious head injuries following an attack on a night out in Middlewich has spoken of finally being able to move on after his attacker was jailed.

Stuart Tulloch suffered a fractured skull, a bleed to the brain and bruising in the assault, which happened in Wheelock Street, on April 30, 2016.

The 35-year-old, from Middlewich, had to leave his player/coach role with 1874 Northwich as a result of the attack, and was unable to play football for the whole of 2016.

Mr Tulloch said he developed stress and anxiety issues as a result of the attack.

“When I was coaching sometimes I couldn’t get my words out,” he told the Guardian. “I started to go home and was really taking it to heart.

"It played on my mind and it would bring it all back.

“I have always been a confident person but it knocked my self-confidence a bit. It gave me these issues I didn’t ask for.”

His attacker, William Worswick, 25, from Station Road, Newchapel, Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to 18 months in jail on Monday after pleading guilty to GBH the day before his trial was due to begin.

Mr Tulloch said: “I just want to move on with my life now. This has been hanging over my head, but now I have closure.”

The 35-year-old praised his wife Lorna for supporting him since the attack.

“My wife is my rock,” he said. “If it wasn’t for her I don’t know where I would be.

"When you suffer from psychological issues everyone around you suffers as well.

“I was an emotional mess. Now I feel how I was. I have my self-confidence back, my cockiness back.

“It’s like I’m back to being that person, back to my old self.”

Mr Tulloch is back playing football and is a player/coach with Sandbach United.

He said: “I am in a really good place at this moment in time thanks to the support from my friends, family and everyone else.

“The community have supported me so much.”

Mr Tulloch also thanked 1874 Northwich chairman Paul Stockton and everyone associated with his former club for helping him out in his time of need.

He said: “When the chips were down you really supported me and really helped me out financially. Thank you.”