Football staff thanked for 'saving fan's life'

Football ground staff had "undoubtedly saved" a fan's life after he was taken ill just before a match, a club said.

Mick Thorpe, a Matlock FC historian and statistician, was said to be "stable, conscious and talking" following a cardiac arrest after arriving at Stourbridge FC on Saturday.

He had to be defibrillated twice on site but his heart had restarted and he had been breathing by himself before ambulances and the air ambulance arrived, Matlock FC said.

Mr Thorpe had been taken to hospital in Birmingham where he remained in a stable condition, it added. Stourbridge FC said the club was "extremely glad" to hear Mr Thorpe was recovering.

In a social media post, a Matlock club spokesperson said: "Mick had to be defibrillated twice on site, the medical response carried out by two off-duty paramedics, one former paramedic, members of Stourbridge FC's staff and Matlock director Kristen Duffy, who herself is an emergency CPR instructor.

"Two road ambulances and the air ambulance arrived soon afterwards, by which time Mick's heart had restarted and he was breathing by himself.

"Mick was taken to hospital in Birmingham where we are pleased to report he is in a stable condition, conscious and talking."

"We wish Mick a speedy recovery and hope to see him back at the Lane very soon," it added.

Ms Duffy added: "Quick CPR and a defib make all the difference. Know where your nearest defibs are and never ever be afraid to use one."

Stourbridge FC gave thanks to everyone involved in the treatment and added it hoped Mr Thorpe would be back watching games soon.

The match, which was due to kick-off at 15:00 BST, was delayed by 15 minutes for the medical emergency at the War Memorial Athletic Ground.

Stourbridge beat Matlock Town 3-0 in the Isuzu FA Trophy third qualifying round tie.

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