A valuable insight from Mick Geraghty, General Secretary Middlesex Walking Football.

Hi All,

I would like to update you on 2 medical emergencies we had at last Sunday's League fixtures .

The first was one of my over 60s , Simon, who had a mild heart attack pitch side . We took him to hospital where he was transferred for Harefield hospital and had 2 stents inserted immediately. He had a third stent op today.

Fortunately we had a Para Medic playing for us who assessed Simon and a pitch side Defibrillator available .We also actioned our Emergency First Aid Plan which worked ,thankfully.

The other medical incident was in the London Irish v Uxbridge over 60s game . A London Irish player stumbled during play with no player near him and broke his elbow . I abandoned the game as we needed time to allow the player to recover and stand. He was taken to hospital and had a metal plate inserted into his elbow.

Both players are recovering.

The whole day highlighted the need to be organised not just in the planning but in actioning an Emergency Action Plan for first aid .

My club ,Uxbridge Amblers, have 12 FA First Aiders certificated and at every League Fixture there are 2 + First Aiders in attendance.

Ideally every club should have a First Aider in attendance at the League fixtures to ensure seamless communication with club and myself if Emergency First Aid is required.

I urge all clubs to have members either certificated or registered to complete the online FA Emergency First Aid in Football course . Details are on the Middx FA website.

Mick Mick Geraghty Gen.Sec Uxbridge Amblers Walking Football Club