A serious question

[Football Man]

Given the recent spate of players collapsing/dying during matches, should there be stringent medicals given to players all the way down to SSML level before they are allowed to sign for clubs?

 

Given the levels of fitness and training that players at clubs like Leicester City and Sevilla go through, it seems a miracle that this sort of thing doesn't happen far more often at non-league level.

[Spidermanor]

A nice idea FM, but logistically impossible to arrange. Theres also the cost, how many clubs could afford to run a scheme like that? It would probably also significantly reduce the pool of available players (how would NF ever a find a club if he had to pass a medical), and at the end of the day as events in Spain and Nottingham have shown, there is no guarantee problems would be picked up. There are so many different contributory factors to heart attacks, you can't cover them all.

 

If would be more sensible and cost effective to make difibrilators mandatory at football clubs, given the amount of time it takes to get an ambulance to a football ground. With cardic problems the first five minutes are crucial, without proper speedy treatment there is a 95% chance of death from a major heart attack. Defibs cost between £700-1000, but anyone using them has to be retrained at least twice a year which is around £150-200.

 

It was the quick use of a defib last night which probably saved Clive Clarkes life last night.

[Football Man]

I suppose the other way around it is for a club to make a reasonable annual contribution to the St. John Ambulance in return for them having an ambulance at all of its home games. We did that in my time at Ilford and, eventually, two of the crew became the club's physios!

[NeutralFan]

Originally Posted By: Spidermanor

(how would NF ever a find a club if he had to pass a medical)

I'd get someone to take the medical for me!