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I feared for my life – confesses Showunmi
ASK any footballer about the worst parts of his job and chances are the word 'injury' will crop up before too long.
Groin strains, pulled hamstrings and even broken legs are very much occupational hazards and, for those left sitting frustrated on the sidelines for weeks on end, there seems to be no worse a fate.
Enoch Showunmi came into the professional game at the relatively late age of 21, and his desire to avoid injury and play every week burned stronger than normal due to him wanting to make up for lost time.
However, after suffering a health scare with a problem similar to one that just a couple of months earlier had claimed the life of a close friend's grandmother, the Leeds United striker realises there are a lot worse things in life than injury.
"A living nightmare," is how the now happily recovered Showunmi describes a traumatic time that began shortly before Christmas last year.
"I had been unable to catch my breath when running so I knew something was wrong, but I had no idea what. Eventually, it got so bad that I had to go to A&E because I was getting really bad chest pains.
"At first, they thought it was pneumonia before diagnosing the problem as a blood clot on my lung. It came as a massive, massive shock.
"The doctors didn't have to explain how serious it was because a good friend of mine's gran had passed away a couple of months earlier after having a blood clot on her lungs.
"Because of that, I knew straight away how bad it could be and I will admit to being frightened. My mind was spinning with all sorts running through it.
"In a way, it felt quite strange because even though I knew how serious a blood clot was, I did not feel to be that ill."
Showunmi was immediately prescribed a course of Warfarin, medication that thins the blood, for the next six months. The doctors also explained the possible side-effects could include an increased risk of internal bleeding, meaning the powerfully-built striker was immediately banned from playing football or taking part in any contact sports.
The Kilburn-born striker's first season at Elland Road was over, though after such a big shock he readily admits the game of football was the least of his worries.
He said: "The usual period of time that someone with a blood clot takes Warfarin is six months but there is always the danger that you will have to stay on the tablets for longer.
"I will admit there were times when I seriously wondered about my
career and I am so glad my family were up from down south because their support was just what I needed.
"I was not allowed to do anything for two months as part of the recovery but, eventually, the breathlessness went. That was a big thing as it meant I could come in and train. I still wasn't allowed to train with anyone else due to the risk of internal bleeding but it was still good to be coming in.
"It was a bit of a head trip having to train on my own but at least I was around the place again.
"The club were great throughout, especially as I doubt they will have had to deal with anything like it before. Fitness coach Matty Pears gave me my own fitness programme to work to once it was possible for me to train again."
In Showunmi's absence, new manager Simon Grayson – whose appointment had come a couple of days after the striker's problem was first diagnosed – led Leeds back into the promotion race only for the club's play-off jinx to return with a vengeance.
Millwall's two-legged win in the semi-finals last May meant that the 27-year-old's return to pre-season training was to prepare for another season in League One.
A first outing came with 45 minutes against York City at Bootham Crescent and after receiving final confirmation via a blood test in late July that the illness was behind him, Showunmi went on to make an appearance from the bench in the opening-day win over Exeter.
A first start of the season two days later was then marked with the
only goal as Darlington were knocked out of the Carling Cup and Showunmi is now intent on looking to the future.
He said: "I am not someone who looks forward to pre-season but this time it was different. I had been out for seven months so it was just nice to come back and play.
"Being able to play and be among the lads again meant I appreciated a lot more as to just how fortunate a footballer is. It is only when something is taken away that you realise its value.
"York was my first game back and it felt a bit weird to play football again. I was a bit paranoid when I was struggling for breath early on but I soon realised that was how I always am at the start of pre-season."
Once back in action, Showunmi had to impress another manager having been signed on a free transfer from Bristol City in 2008 by Grayson's predecessor, Gary McAllister.
The Leeds striker added: "We had changed managers in the time I was out so this season was effectively a new start and a chance for me to show my worth. Hopefully, the gaffer now knows what I can do and will pick me for Leeds United.
"The lads are all focused on one goal and that is to win promotion.
"We have some great players here and we need to get it where it deserves to be.
"It is a difficult division to get out of and there are a lot of teams who can get promoted. A lot come to Elland Road for their 'Cup final' as well so we have to deal with that pressure."
As for what his own goals are, Showunmi said: "I don't have any personal targets. I used to do that sort of thing, but now I really do take each game as it comes. I can't do anything else after the year I've had."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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