SCEFL
Premier Division

Hero Physio makes the headlines!

Sheppey United Physio Alex Armstrong has been making the headlines this week after assisting an ill spectator at the FA Vase game between Lordswood and Sheppey United.

Alex, 22, positioned the victim to help his breathing, kept checking his pulse and reassured him until the ambulance arrived.

The victim is now in hospital.

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, re-assuring the supporter and helping him through what clearly appeared to be a stroke happening before our very eyes.”

The Sheppey spectator was taken ill after the match finished and 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 as 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 best to deal with the situation.

“The most important part of this 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 had already shown 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 story even made it into the Sun newspaper on Tuesday and then again on Saturday when he was made ‘Hero of the Week’!

 

 

In further hero Physio news this week Erith & Belvedere were grateful to Courtney Dobson from Cray Valley after she treated an opponent at an FA Vase game on Sunday. Miss Dobson was a spectator when she reacted to an incident in front of her where an Oakwood FC player was injured against a barrier surrounding the pitch. Her instinctive reactions would have been a great help to the player with Courtney being a very experienced physio within Non League football.

 

 

These events show the importance of having the right people around our clubs should be an incident occur. There are many stories around of similar events over the past few seasons proving that the Physio’s in and around our Leagues are the best around, potential heroes and all deserve a pat on the back for the great jobs they do.

 




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