JAMIE Morris has not lost any of his passion for life – or sport – after he was involved in an horrific car crash driving home from football training.

The promising sportsman from Craven Arms was just 17 and looking forward to Christmas when his car left the road south of Onibury on the A49.

It was a life-changing moment for the Liverpool FC supporter who had played football for Craven Arms, Ludlow, and had trials with Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion.

Jamie (pictured) woke up in the back of the vehicle. He suffered a severed spinal cord, broken collarbone, four smashed ribs and a punctured lung.

He was paralysed from the waist down and spent five-and-a-half months in a spinal unit in Oswestry, Shropshire.

“I lost control of my car because I was going too fast,” said Jamie, a former midfield player who was educated in Ludlow.

“I hadn’t been driving very long.

When you’re 17, you think you’re invincible.

“I woke up in the back of my car.

I had broken my spine at the bottom of my back and severed my spinal cord.

“I am now paralysed from the waist down – but nothing stops me. I love my life.”

The accident happened on December 20, 2006. Jamie, now 23, is thrilled to be involved once again in the sport he loves.

“Craven Arms FC were great to me. They held charity events for me and raised money for my wheelchair,” he recalled.

Jamie is now the first-team assistant manager at Ludlow Town Football Club.

“Mike Seaborne is the manager at Ludlow Town and he got in touch with me,” he said.

“Mike has been amazing to me.

He was the manager when I played at Craven Arms and we’re always talking about football.

“We’re both big Liverpool fans – and I’m very grateful for him for giving me the chance to get back into football “It’s what I’ve been looking to do and I’ve loved every minute of it. I love football – even though I can’t play,” said Jamie.

He now works part-time at Britpart Land Rover in Craven Arms, enjoys holidays abroad and travels to the Isle of Man each year to watch the TT racing.

He was driving less than 12 months after his accident and he’s just bought a new tent for camping trips.

He thanked the support of his mum Sue and dad Colin, a former football referee.

“You need a good set of friends and a great family,” he said. “I’ve got my football, great family and girlfriend – Hattie Fagan – and great friends.

“The main thing is confidence. If you haven’t got confidence, you would be sitting in your house all day.

“I was only 17 and it’s a sink or swim situation. If you don’t take to it, your life is going to go downhill pretty fast.”

Jamie has worked with the Back Up Trust, a spinal charity for wheelchair users, and has helped patients at Oswestry Spinal Unit.

“When I was in hospital, we had people who came in and taught us about wheelchairs,” he said.

“Five years down the line, I was back there teaching people basic wheelchair skills such as getting up ramps and putting together the wheelchairs.

“The main thing is to accept what’s happened to you and to build the path that is the right one for you.

“I played wheelchair tennis for a while but I picked up a wrist injury.

The opportunity of football then came along and it was too good to turn down.

“I’ve never looked back since my accident. I love my life and I love being involved in football.

“There are opportunities there for everyone and it’s about taking them and having the right attitude.”