Bernie relieved to be alive after heart scare (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Bernie relieved to be alive after heart scare

10:05am Thursday 22nd November 2007 in Football

Manager Bernie Court says he is lucky to be alive after suffering a heart attack during a Sunday League game at the weekend.

The Old Road Tavern boss was running the line in their 4-1 defeat to Corsham Centre B in the Chippenham Sunday League Division Four. He had chest pains after just five minutes and was rushed to hospital.

An electrocardiogram test at Chippenham Hospital confirmed he had suffered a heart attack.

"I was petrified and couldn't stop shaking. I told them they must have got the wrong person and I just wanted to get out," he said.

"Everyone has been brilliant, but a lot of the time I have felt like breaking down and crying.

"I wish it had never happened and I don't want it to happen again but you never know your own destiny."

The 54-year-old has been involved in the sunday league for 40 years, playing for the likes of the Royal Oak and Langley Burrell.

The football community in Chippenham has rallied around the former Malmesbury Victoria goalkeeper, who is now back home with wife Marilyn and son Joseph at Oaklands in Chippenham.

"I've had telephone calls from so many managers and all the league representatives have called me hoping everything will be al right," said Court.

He will return to hospital for more tests in three weeks.

He said: "My players have rallied together and I have got a lot of admiration for them. One thing is though, I will be back. I will stay away for a couple of weeks but I will still be giving advice on the team selection."