23-year-old footballer speaks publicly after being stabbed seven times in Huntingdon train attack

When the National League teams confirmed their released and retained lists at the end of the season, one name and the decision associated with it stood out.

Jonathan Gjoshe was among those not retained by Scunthorpe United. After two appearances, the 23-year-old is looking for a new club.

Gjoshe is believed to have been the first victim of the Huntingdon train attack in November 2025. Anthony Williams has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder after the mass stabbing attack on a train bound for London.

The former Kingstonian and Corinthian-Casuals defender, who jumped four divisions when he signed for Scunthorpe last summer, has given his first interview since he sustained seven stab wounds on his way home from Doncaster.

"I got stabbed on the shoulder first," he told BBC Sport in an exclusive interview.

"I remember jumping over the table, jumping over the chairs. I was just running down the corridor, telling people, 'there's a guy with a knife, run, I've been stabbed, run, run, run'. I was screaming. I think I was the first person that got stabbed. I felt the pain. But adrenaline kicked in.

"I was thinking I wasn't going to see my family again, if I died, and that was the main worry for me. Normally I would drive back down to London. That was the first time I got on a train to go back. What's the chance of that happening? It's crazy."

"I'm really lucky and grateful that I'm alive now."

Footballer Jonathan Gjoshe was knifed seven times in a mass stabbing on a train to London last November.

His actions helped save lives, but he's now searching for a new club after being released by Scunthorpe United. pic.twitter.com/svuItzEzS1

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 18, 2026

After receiving first aid on the train and being rushed to hospital when it made an emergency stop at Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, Gjoshe was told how close he came to a career-ending injury.

His physical recovery is complete but Gjoshe's opportunity with the Iron was ended prematurely by his injury. He told the BBC that he's ready for the next challenge and hoping for another chance to prove himself worthy of the step up.

"The Scunthorpe fans started a GoFundMe. It helped me a lot. The support they showed for me, the club as well, it meant a lot," the footballer said.

"I was hoping they'd give me another year to prove that. But unfortunately, I didn't get that. It's quite disappointing."

'Thank God I'm alive'

Gjoshe was dual-registered with Bottesford Town and played for them on the day of the attack.

He said he hasn't been on a train since November.

Williams faces multiple charges relating to the attack itself and other violent incidents in London, Peterborough, Stevenage and on another train a day earlier.

His trial is scheduled for October.

"Listen, it's happened, it's life, thank God I'm alive," said Gjoshe.