A QUICK-THINKING footballer helped save the life of a 78-year-old grandfather who suffered a heart attack while watching his grandson train.

Nelson FC defender Kevin Brown, who is trained in resuscitation, and manager Phil Eastwood, a former Burnley striker, rushed to help Sam O’Leary after he stopped breathing about 40 minutes into the session.

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Mr O’Leary, a retired rigger, collapsed during Nelson’s pre-season training match, while watching his 17-year-old grandson Jack.

The pair performed CPR on Mr O’Leary before paramedics arrived 10 minutes later and used a defibrillator.

Mr O’Leary is now recovering in the Royal Blackburn Hospital and now his family is planning to say ‘thank you’ by raising money to have a defibrillator fitted in the club’s grounds.

Defender Mr Brown, 29, from Blackburn, who works as a cardiac rehab instructor at Blackburn Sports and Leisure Centre, said: “We heard one of the parents shouting over and I saw this chap laid out on the floor.

“I ran over as fast as I could and noticed he was not breathing. I started straight away with CPR and did that for 10 minutes or so then the first response team came with a defibrillator.

“There were no signs of life for about an hour. He was not responsive so we kept doing CPR and using the defib to shock him.”

The former Blackpool FC professional said they had to get Mr O’Leary over a five-foot dry stone wall and through someone’s back garden to access the ambulance which could not get onto the field.

Mr Brown said: “When he was in the ambulance thankfully he came round. The signs of life were so good to see after going through something like that.”

He added that because of his job an instinct kicked in and he knew he had to get there as fast as he could.

“Even if I had not had the training I would have done the same. It is somebody’s life. Anybody would have done it. Between Phil, me and the ambulance staff, we got the job done.

“If what I did saved his life, to keep someone alive is amazing.”

Mr Brown said clubs should be fitted with defibrillators. The device was credited with helping to save the life of BoltonWanderers player Fabrice Muamba, who collapsed during an FA cup quarter-final match in 2012.

“Most clubs should be carrying defibs. There may be defects that have not been picked up. You can be the fittest guy on earth, but you need the security of the equipment,” Mr Brown said.

The campaign for a defib, set up by Mr O’Leary’s granddaughter Lauren, has raised more than £800 so far.

Mr Brown said: “It’s unbelievable. I’m so glad people think the same about how important they are. It’s helping raise awareness.”

Mr O’Leary’s son Kevin, 53, said his Dad watches his grandson play every week.

The family learning development worker from Liverpool said: “There is a long way to go, but he’s alive thanks to Nelson FC, the paramedics and hospital staff.

“We are indebted to them. We owe them everything. There’s nothing we can give them. A million pounds would not be enough. They have done an amazing job.”

Mr O’Leary said he was at the ground on Thursday when his dad slumped onto his shoulder.

He said: “Up to then he had been fine. He watched Jack make a pass and commented then sort of fell into me.

“I had hold of him and I thought he was choking. He was not breathing. That’s when Kevin and Phil came over.

“We owe everything to Kevin, Phil, the response team and Blackburn hospital. It’s unbelievable. For them to keep going and not give up.

“It was touch and go at the scene. He stopped breathing and his heart was very weak. We thought he had gone, but Kevin and Phil kept on going. It’s because of them he’s alive.”

He added: “I can’t thank those who have donated money enough.”

Manager Phil Eastwood said the club had been thinking about getting a defibrillator.

“We thought we would use the money raised by the family to buy one so if it happens again we would have something there straight away,” he said.

To donate visit https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/lauren-oleary?