Heart attack player recovers

RECOVERING WELL. . . footballer Sam Widdall was fitted with a pacemaker

THE future is looking bright for a 22-year-old footballer who suffered a heart attack on the pitch.

Sam Widdall, of Pennine Avenue, Chadderton, collapsed during a Sunday League game between his side FC Broadgate and Crompton and Royton on January 18.

The hours following the incident were critical with doctors fearing what long-term effects — such as brain damage — the heart attack would cause.

But Latics fan Sam, who has already beaten cancer, defied all odds by waking up just two days later and stunning staff at the Royal Oldham Hospital with his progress in co-ordination, speaking, walking and long-term memory.

Today, Sam was fitted with a defibrillator which will monitor his heart and deliver an electric shock if it comes close to stopping.

Sam’s brother Tom (19) said: “Sam is now in a coronary care unit and is recovering well.

“He had short-term memory loss but that was expected because of everything he want through and it is coming back now.

“He celebrated his birthday in hospital and we spent the whole day with him. He opened his cards and presents and was in really high spirits even though he is bored just lying in bed all day.

“He is taking everything in his stride like he always does and is being really positive.

“My mum and dad have been really strong and focused on Sam’s recovery. We didn’t want to be all doom and gloom around him because he didn’t realise how serious the situation was when he woke up.

“The best news for us is that he will be able to play football when he is fully recovered and he can continue with his teacher training qualification at Leeds Metropolitan.

“With the defibrillator he will be able to have a pretty normal life and not give up the sport he loves or his future career as a PE teacher.

“It has also been really lovely to see how popular Sam is. There have been loads of well wishers leaving him messages on his Facebook page and he has had so many visitors that we’ve had to have people queuing in the corridor.

“Sam has always been a fighter and always pushing past obstacles — just like he did when he had cancer — and we are hoping to have him back home by the weekend.

“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank everyone who has supported Sam through this tough time.”