Three months after his heart surgery, Connor Goldson is ready to return to action, having put a difficult period behind him. The English defender for Apollon spoke to Apollon’s Match Program about the moments of anxiety, the support from his family, and the encouragement he received from the club, while making no secret of his desire to repay the trust placed in him by helping the team achieve its goals and compete for a trophy.
Here is what he said in detail
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The heart surgery last July brought you face-to-face with a completely different situation in your life. What was your first thought when you found out you would need to undergo this surgery? “It was difficult. My family and I panicked quite a bit. We weren’t expecting it again. After a few days, once the initial wave of emotions—the sadness and anger—had passed, I realized that there are people in the world facing much bigger problems than mine. I had to face it, and I knew I’d make it through again.”
Recovery required patience and daily effort. What was the hardest part of this journey, physically and mentally? “The first two or three weeks were really, really tough. I couldn’t move without pain, I was constantly tired, and I had no energy. As a professional soccer player, you’re used to being able to do everything and move freely. Suddenly, all of that is gone. After the third or fourth week, you slowly begin the rehabilitation process, but the first few weeks are very difficult.”
Do you feel the same today as you did before the surgery? “I feel great. I’ve been training normally with the team for the past few weeks, and I feel like my body has bounced back. I’m in good physical shape, and mentally, I feel great too. I’m ready….”
What gave you the strength and motivation to keep going, even on the toughest days? “I’d been through this before, so I knew what the process entailed. There were people who told me I might not come back, or who asked me why I would want to return instead of retiring. But I’d done it before, and I was confident I’d make it through this time, too.
At the same time, I saw my children and my wife every day. They believed in me and encouraged me. My son wanted to see me play soccer again. I told him it wasn’t a problem, that I’d have the surgery, go through rehab, and show him what it means to be strong.”
How important was your family’s support during this time? “My family comes first above all else. They’ve been through more with me than anyone else. They’ve moved to different countries for my sake, and they even came all the way to England to be with me in the hospital. My family is the most important thing in my life.”
Besides your family, you also received significant support from Apollon. How did you experience the support from the coach, your teammates, and the team staff? “The people at Apollon were wonderful to me. My teammates, the coach, the president, and the staff sent me messages even while I was in the hospital in England. They weren’t obligated to do so, since I’d only been with the team for a week and didn’t know them very well. When I returned, however, they welcomed me with open arms and showed me that they’d been waiting for me. I really appreciate that.”
Hernán Lozada has spoken publicly about your effort and motivation. What does his trust mean to you? “It’s important. The coach has been by my side throughout this whole journey. I imagine it was a big blow for him, too, since he brought me onto the team and just six or seven days later found out I needed heart surgery. Now, though, I hope to come back and be able to repay his trust, as well as the trust of the entire club. I want to help the team and not miss too much of the season.”
You’ve now secured the necessary medical clearance and are officially available. How do you feel knowing that you can return to competition? “I’m happy and ready. I’ve worked really hard over the last three months to get to where I am today, to train and feel this good physically.”
You came to Apollon to help the team take the next step. What does the prospect of playing for the team again mean to you? “I came here to play and help the team. I wanted to help us take the next step, but the first few months didn’t go as I’d hoped. Nevertheless, the team got off to a great start this season; there’s confidence and a positive atmosphere. I hope now that I can repay the trust they’ve shown in me and help Apollon in the second half of the season.”
Such a difficult experience can change the way you view soccer and life. Has anything changed in the way you approach the game? “No, not the way I view soccer. I love it. If I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t be coming back. I have a wonderful family, and I’ve been lucky to have a good soccer career. Some people ask me why I’d take the risk and why I’d keep going, but I love soccer. It’s what gets me up every morning with excitement. I still have a few years ahead of me, and I want to make the most of them.”
What are your personal goals for the rest of the season, and what would you like to achieve with Apollon? “First and foremost, I want to play as much as possible. I came here to play, and I want to get back into the starting lineup. I’ve been to the games with the fans, and I can’t wait to experience that from the field. I hope to win a trophy with Apollon. When you play for a big club, in any country, the most important thing is to win titles.”
Finally, what is your message to the Apollon fans who supported you and sent you messages during your recovery? “Thank you. I really appreciate it, and, as I said, I hope to be able to repay your support on the field. I hope that together we can all achieve something.”
