Goalkeeper makes most important save of his life after receiving red card

Stocksbridge Park Steels player Ben Scott was devastated after being sent off for kicking out at an opponent and stormed down the tunnel.

But the day’s drama wasn’t over for the goalkeeper when he heard cries for help coming from the crowd towards the end of Saturday’s away match against King’s Lynn Town.

Instinctively the qualified nurse, who works at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, turned around and ran back out onto the pitch to help a fan who had suddenly collapsed on the terraces. The spectator, a man in his 70s, had stopped breathing.

Mr Scott took off his goalkeeping gloves and helped two St John Ambulance volunteers to deliver CPR and use a defibrillator to revive the pensioner.

Now the supporter, who has not been named, is recovering in hospital after Mr Scott was able to restore his heart’s rhythm back to a normal rate.

Former Sheffield United player Mr Scott, 30, from Sheffield, said: “If I hadn’t been sent off or if I wasn’t playing in the game I wouldn’t have been able to help the gentleman.

“All I can hope is that he makes some kind of recovery. He’s been given the best chance.”

He added: “It was the initial response from the St John Ambulance that saved the man’s life. If anyone should take the credit it’s those two.

“They do it for free. It’s humbling.”

Supporters of the Norfolk club took to Twitter to praise the Stocksbridge stopper for saving the man’s life.

David Whitehouse wrote: “You are a credit to your club for helping out in the crowd.”

Mr Scott was sent off in the first minute of stoppage time during Stocksbridge Park Steels’ match at Kings Lynn Town’s ground The Walks.

The Evo-Stick Northern Premier League game ended in a 3-3 draw.

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