More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A heroic young physiotherapist rushed to the aid of a football fan suffering a suspected stroke.
Alex Armstrong, 22, of Sheppey United FC, positioned the man to help his breathing, kept checking his pulse and reassured him until the ambulance arrived.
Club chairman Matthew Smith said: "Without Alex’s intervention who knows what would have happened while we waited the 20-plus minutes for the ambulance?
"It was very apparent that Alex was used to dealing with stressful situations.
"He remained calm throughout, reassuring the supporter and helping him through what clearly appeared to be a stroke happening before our very eyes."
The drama happened at the Lordswood FC home ground at North Dane Way, Chatham, yesterday afternoon where Sheppey were playing.
The Sheppey spectator was taken ill after the match finished as he was leaving the ground.
Other fans around him noticed he was unwell and one, Calvin Blackmore, alerted Sheppey commercial director Paul Rogers.
Mr Rogers immediately ran to his team's dressing room to bring out Mr Armstrong.
Sheppey communications director Mike Wood dialled 999 and Mr Armstrong rushed to the victim.
He positioned the supporter to make sure there were no breathing difficulties and continued to monitor and reassure him.
Mr Smith told Kent Online: "Without Alex’s presence we would not have known how to deal with the situation.
"The most important part is the supporter and his family.
" I understand there is a blood clot and the next 72 hours are critical as he remains in hospital.
"Everyone at the football club's thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in what we know will be a difficult time.
"But just like everyone I hope he makes a full recovery."
Mr Smith said that Mr Armstrong had only joined Sheppey United this season and was already proving to be a "massive asset" in his work in rehabilitating injured players.
He added: "This highlights to me the need for fully-qualified physiotherapists to be on site at every non-league football game."
The incident had happened at the end of an FA Vase game where Sheppey United beat Lordswood FC 1-0.
Sheppey United initially broke the news of Mr Armstrong's heroism on Twitter.
