BURTON Albion physio Nick Fenton has picked up an award for the part he played in helping save the life of Barnsley FC volunteer Stephen Croft.
Stephen collapsed on the pitch after suffering a cardiac arrest before the Brewers scheduled game at Oakwell last September. He was spotted first by the Brewers players who alerted Nick to the medical emergency. Nick started the treatment and was joined by Barnsley’s medical staff before the Air Ambulance arrived.
The skill and prompt action from all those involved helped save Stephen’s life and he was able to attend both the re-arranged fixture and the Burton Albion Players’ Awards night earlier this month.
Now Nick, alongside Craig Sedgwick, from Barnsley FC, and and Alan Laverie, from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, have received an Exceptional Service Award at the Football Medicine and Performance Association Awards 2019.
Nick said: “Stephen did a lovely talk on the night thanking myself, Craig and Alan for what we did, and it was a good evening and a nice award to receive.
“Every time I see Stephen he looks better and better and he tells me he is in good health and spirits and he’s keen to get on with the rest of his life now. He has indicated that he wants to come back here next season and I think Burton Albion is his second club now.
“It was a massive shock on the day. We are trained for it, but you don’t come across it very often. It’s a tough course in football to get through for this very reason so that when confronted with these circumstances you are able to deal with it.
“When I was called across, I was expecting to see one of our players on the floor not Stephen, but you just have to get on with it. There isn’t time to think you just do what you have been trained to do. It’s just so nice to see that it has come out the right way as events like that can easily go the other way. Now it’s good to see Stephen and to know that I was a part of helping him get back to where he is now.”
FMPA CEO Eamonn Salmon said: "We were delighted to acknowledge Nick Fenton’s assistance at the Barnsley match this season. Presenting him with this award meant that his colleagues and the world of football were made aware of his exceptional service during this incident. The award is fully justified, and we are proud to have practitioners of his calibre within our membership.”
Nick Fenton is pictured far left with Craig Sedgwick and Alan Laverie and Stephen Croft (holding the microphone).