Yesterday we told the amazing story of Roger Addison, who has spent nearly 40 years in hospital after

breaking his neck in a rugby match at the age of 21

in 1966. Today ANDY DOYLE reveals his other

tragedy - setting free the woman he loved.

AT just 21 Roger Addison had it all.

Like many young men he loved his rugby, playing for Pontypool RFC and captaining the Welsh youth team.

The prop forward never missed a match.

But there was another love in his life - fiance Ann Haines.

The two fell in love after meeting in Pontypool, and devoted Ann stayed with Mr Addison during his first two years in hospital following the accident in 1966.

Although the traumatic event didn't change their love for each other, Mr Addison decided he did not want his sweetheart to live the rest of her life tied to him.

His sister, Barbara Owen, of Pontypool, recalls how he was eventually forced to make an agonising decision as to their future, and asked his fiance to break away.

She said: "Roger could see his life was going to be nothing like he had expected - he couldn't see a future for them, and he didn't want her life to be ruined as well."

Ann eventually married and settled in Buckinghamshire. She died some years ago.

Mr Addison survived the heartache of letting go of his previous life.

"He must have been depressed after the accident. After six weeks he knew he would never walk again, but he's never shown it to his family - he just takes each day as it comes," said Mrs Owen, 62.

Mr Addison, of Trevethin, broke his neck and was paralysed during a match between Pontypool and Rugby, at the home of rugby union, the Web Ellis ground, in 1966.

A pitch-side tracheotomy had to be performed by a watching doctor to prevent Mr Addison from choking.

He was initially taken to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, where he remained for three years, before being transferred to Rookwood in Cardiff, where he has been ever since.

Like the late Superman star, Christopher Reeve, who was paralysed after a fall from a horse, Mr Addison has a permanent opening in his throat to help him breathe.

Mr Addison's birthday, on Saturday coincides with Pontypool's New Year Premiership clash with Aberavon, which is to be televised.

Officials from the club have regularly visited their former player, and a special half-time tribute is planned to mark his 60th birthday.

Pontypool RFC secretary Arthur Crane said: "The club has never forgotten a former team-mate whose promising career was cut off in its prime - it's fitting people should be reminded about him."