A dad-of-three says his life has completely changed after he had a heart attack while playing in a charity football match.

Craig Minnican became unwell while he was taking part in a five-a-side game at Corinthian Football Club, in Fawkham, to raise money for the ellenor Hospice.

He arrived feeling his normal self but was substituted after 20 minutes and went to sit on the bench.

Craig, who is from Cliffe, said: “I went to rest my arms as they started hurting me, little did I know within 10 minutes of this my chest felt like it was ready to pop.

“I was having a heart attack, 33 years old having a heart attack, safe to say I do not really remember much else after this.”

His boss, who was playing alongside him at the match, alerted a medic who then rang 999 and within 12 minutes paramedics were at the scene.

They performed an electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess Craig’s heart, stabilised and kept him conscious before transporting him to William Harvey Hospital, in Ashford, where he spent five days

It was discovered Craig had a blocked artery which caused the heart attack so he had three stents fitted to widen the artery and allow blood to flow more freely.

Since the incident, on Saturday, July 13, he has suffered from angina and has not been able to return to his job working at a removals firm.

He said: “I absolutely love football but I am so worried about playing again because of my health. The heart attack has completely changed my life and made me think about things very differently.”

Craig has since met with his lifesavers from the South East Coast Ambulance Service, emergency medical advisor Chelsea Williams, resource dispatcher Simon Field, trainee associate ambulance practitioner Olivia Godman and paramedic Harry Topsfield.

He added: “I cannot thank Harry, Olivia, Simon, and Chelsea enough, it was amazing to meet them.”

Harry said: “Our roles can be very challenging, and so the fact that Craig took the time to come and meet us in person really made our day.”