Family grateful after defibrillator saves linesman Martin Weedon's life

A match official whose life was saved with a defibrillator after collapsing twice during a game is continuing to receive treatment in hospital.

Martin Weedon, 73, was one of the assistant referees at Northamptonshire club Desborough Town's South Midlands League Division One Cup semi-final against Belstone, from Hertfordshire.

The game, which was in its early stages, was abandoned following his collapse and he was immediately treated by Belstone captain Mitchell Swain and the two team physios before the defibrillator kept at the ground was used to restart his heart.

"We had only seen him in the morning because they were going to look after our dog - he seemed perfectly normal, laughing and joking, and didn't give any indication he wasn't feeling well," son-in-law Andy Hobbs told BBC Sport.

"If Desborough hadn't had a defibrillator, Martin would have died 100%. It's so important that sports venues of all sizes have them because they save lives."

Other members of the family were attending a 60th birthday party in High Wycombe and were unaware of what had happened until Mr Hobbs was phoned by Desborough manager Neil Healey.

"He called me to say Martin had collapsed and had stopped breathing and they were going to use a defibrillator on him," Mr Hobbs said.

"Apparently he collapsed once but tried to carry on. One of the players from the opposing team was worried and told the referee he didn't like the look of him and within a few seconds, he had fallen again.

"I believe their captain is medically trained and he and the others did an amazing job, they followed the right procedures."

Mr Weedon was later taken from the VPK Stadium to Kettering General Hospital, less than five miles away, for further treatment.

"Mitchell Swain our capt[ain] and our physio Alan Dunphy brought him back to life with resuscitation," Belstone manager Aaron Lincoln posted on X.

"Everything else doesn't matter. I wanted to be proud of our performance today but I couldn't be more proud of these two lads."

And Desborough used their Facebook page to offer a "massive thank you" to Swain, Dunphy and their own physio Carl Mallett for reacting so quickly.

"It was a massive shock to everyone and certainly highlighted the importance of having a defibrillator at the club," Desborough's post said. "Mitchell calmly took control of the situation and undoubtedly saved the official's life.

"Everyone at Desborough Town FC wishes Martin a speedy recovery."

The linesman, who lives in Rothwell, Northants, has been a match official for more than 40 years, according to the family, who describe him as "fit and active".

Hospital tests showed, however, that arteries on the right side of his heart were blocked.

His condition was described as stable on Sunday and the hospital are now considering, according to Mr Hobbs, whether fitting an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is the best course of treatment.

A number of well-known footballers have had ICDs fitted following similar on-pitch incidents.

They include ex-Manchester United, Tottenham and Brentford midfielder Christian Eriksen, Wales defender Tom Lockyer, now with Bristol Rovers, and Watford midfielder Edoardo Bove, who was only 23 when he collapsed during a game in Italy in 2024.

"As Martin's daughter, I want to thank those who helped him on Saturday from the very bottom of my heart," Emma Davis said on Facebook. "Your quick thinking helped a very special man who has given so much to grassroots football over the years.

"He's now where he needs to be, being looked after and will hopefully be back around the football he loves very soon."

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