Stevenage forward Jamie Reid has opened up on the health scare that derailed the start of his 2024/25 campaign, revealing that a surprise blood clot suffered over the summer left him fearing the worst.
Reid had just come off the back of his most prolific professional season, netting 18 times in League One and helping Stevenage mount a play-off push. But just weeks after that high, a sudden pain in his calf while on holiday in Greece turned into something far more serious.
“I Couldn’t Walk”
Initially thinking little of it, Reid flew to Dubai—but things quickly escalated. A blood clot was discovered, forcing a spell in hospital and a return to the UK with his footballing future uncertain. He was ruled out of contact training and missed the entirety of pre-season.
“It was so strange because I just felt like a pinch in my calf on holiday when I was in Greece and I didn’t really think anything of it. And then I flew to Dubai and I just woke up and I couldn’t walk. It was quite scary. I had to go to hospital out there.”
Reid was eventually cleared to return to full training in September, but the lack of fitness and rhythm made for a frustrating comeback. Despite the challenges, the 29-year-old has managed 10 goal involvements across 33 appearances in all competitions so far this season.
Reflecting on the contrast with last season, he admitted it has been hard to replicate the same form without the benefit of preparation and familiarity that characterised 2023/24 under a settled management team.
Still, there are signs he is turning a corner. With two goals in his last four games, Reid heads into Thursday’s Sky Sports clash against Leyton Orient aiming to rediscover his clinical edge.
Reid also touched on his international ambitions after making his debut for Northern Ireland last year—scoring against Romania—but missing out on the latest squad for upcoming qualifiers. While understanding Michael O’Neill’s desire to assess younger options, Reid remains motivated to earn a recall.
“If you had asked me four or five years ago when I was playing in the National League if I was going to be playing international football, I would have laughed.
“The aim is to be in there for the qualifiers and I’ll be trying everything to get back there.”
Writer’s View
Jamie Reid’s honest reflection offers a glimpse into the unpredictable nature of a footballer’s journey. From holiday injury to hospital and back on the pitch, his resilience stands out. With fitness returning and form improving, his goal of an international recall looks entirely achievable—and his experience could yet be a crucial asset for Stevenage’s run-in.
