Footballer in mass train attack reveals he was stabbed seven times

"I was on the train, just relaxing. Suddenly, someone came over my shoulder and stabbed me."

Jonathan Gjoshe, a 23-year-old footballer, reflects on the traumatic events of 1 November last year with evident emotion.

At that time, Gjoshe was just weeks into his inaugural season with Scunthorpe United, traveling from Doncaster to his home in London. But approximately an hour into the journey, a horrifying incident unfolded.

Gjoshe was one of 11 passengers who suffered serious injuries during a knife attack on the train as it traversed through Cambridgeshire.

While it quickly became apparent that Gjoshe was involved in an incident that garnered international media attention, he opted to decline numerous interview requests from the club, choosing to concentrate instead on his recovery journey.

Now, six months later, he is ready to share his experience publicly for the first time, as well as his search for a new club.

'Running for my life'

"I was initially stabbed on the shoulder," he recounts to BBC Sport.

"I remember leaping over tables and chairs. I was sprinting down the corridor, urging people to 'run, there’s a man with a knife, I’ve been stabbed, run, run, run.' I was screaming. I think I was the first victim. I felt the pain, but adrenaline kicked in.

"That split second when I jumped over the table ultimately saved my life. My only thought was to escape, to get off that train. Once I reached the first or second carriage, I pulled the alarm and was covered in blood."

"I worried that I might never see my family again if I were to die, and that was my primary concern," he reflects. "Normally, I would have driven back to London. This was the first time I took the train. What were the odds of this happening? It’s surreal."

The train made an emergency stop at Huntingdon, where armed police awaited. After receiving first aid from a fellow passenger, Gjoshe managed to exit to the station car park, where paramedics quickly transported him to the hospital.

It was only after undergoing surgery that he discovered he had received seven stab wounds in his bicep, shoulder, and arm.

The medical team informed him that the knife "had penetrated through my muscles," narrowly missing a nerve in his arm.

When asked whether he feared this incident might end his football career, he responds, "I was quite concerned. I kept thinking, 'What damage have I sustained?' I had no way of knowing until after surgery, and thankfully, they informed me, 'It’s not too close to the nerve. You’re very fortunate.'"

In the days that followed, Gjoshe remembers, "They had to move me from ward to ward due to the media flocking to see me."

After his discharge from the hospital, Gjoshe encountered several months of rehabilitation, finally returning to full training in March, which he describes as "a significant relief. I gradually regained movement in my arm, and each day it improved. It was an incredible sensation."

Despite his commendable resilience, Gjoshe has not boarded a train since the mass stabbing.

"I wouldn't consider it at this point. You can never be too sure. It feels safer to avoid it. I find it hard to trust anything right now," he confesses.

'I didn't get the chance that I wanted'

After spending years playing lower-league football in London, Gjoshe’s significant opportunity arose last September when he was named Corinthian Casuals' Young Player of the Year. This recognition led him to join Scunthorpe on non-contract terms after impressing manager Andy Butler during pre-season training.

Having ascended four tiers in the football hierarchy, he made his first-team debut against Leeds United's under-21s in the National League Cup later that month, and subsequently faced Middlesbrough in the same competition.

He was granted dual registration and loaned to Bottesford Town, a nearby lower-league team, to gain additional match experience, having played for them mere hours before boarding the LNER train to London.

"The Scunthorpe fans initiated a 'GoFund Me' campaign that raised £4,500. This support was invaluable to me. The encouragement from both the fans and the club meant a great deal," he explains.

However, just days prior to this interview, Gjoshe learned he was among several players at Scunthorpe not being retained. On 8 May, the club posted a message on Instagram featuring his image, thanking him and wishing him "the best of luck for the future."

"Given everything I’ve experienced, I missed half a season… I wasn't afforded the chance I had hoped for," he states. "I was optimistic they would offer me another year to prove myself. Unfortunately, that was not the case, which is quite disappointing."

Describing himself as "fully healed, and prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead," Gjoshe is now focused on maintaining his fitness and "hoping a club will emerge and offer me that opportunity."

'I'm proud of him'

Gjoshe speaks to BBC Sport at a five-a-side football facility in south-west London, where he honed his skills as a teenager under the guidance of his former coach, Nigel James, who operates sessions at the venue.

James, the father of England internationals Reece and Lauren, whom Gjoshe considers close friends, has a discerning eye for football talent. He believes Gjoshe possesses the ability to revive his career despite the setback of being released.

"Unfortunately, that’s the nature of football, and life can be unpredictable," comments James.

"Jonathan is like family to me. I'm proud of how he has navigated through this ordeal. I'm confident he will receive more opportunities because I believe in him. He is not only a skilled player but also a good person. Ultimately, it comes down to someone offering him a chance and Jonathan seizing it."

'It's made me push every day'

In relation to the incident on 1 November, 32-year-old Anthony Williams has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder and is scheduled to stand trial in October.

Meanwhile, Gjoshe is resolutely committed to staying positive, refusing to dwell on the unfortunate turn of events that have impacted his football career.

"Listen, it has happened; it is a part of life, and I am grateful to be alive," he states when asked about his positive outlook.

"You cannot dwell on the past; you must keep moving forward. My main focus was on returning to football and hoping for another chance. Life is precious, and anything can occur… Therefore, you must make the most of it. This experience has motivated me to strive harder each day."