Adam, known as ‘Doddy’, has been a stalwart at FC United of Manchester since he joined the club in 2019. Since then, he has made 99 appearances in three seasons and is known for his ‘legendary’ workrate, knack of chipping in with ‘thunderbolts for goals’ and his ‘Connor McGregor goal celebration’. But when the team were set to fly to Rimini to compete for the Fenix Trophy Final, Doddy was in hospital in Blackpool after suffering a cardiac arrest.

In a statement released by the club, Doddy explains that on June 3 his life was “completely turned upside down”. He says: “On the 3rd of June my life was completely turned upside down, I went to bed as normal with my girlfriend and a couple hours later, she woke up to the sounds of me in cardiac arrest. My heart had stopped and I was dying.

“Luckily, she heard my gasping and called 999 and performed CPR until the ambulance arrived 16 minutes later. If I hadn’t received this CPR I would have died or would be brain dead. The chances of surviving an out of hospital cardiac arrest are 3%.

When the ambulance arrived, they shocked me with a defibrillator and it took a few attempts to get my pulse back. I was taken to Blackpool Hospital and put on the intensive care ward in an induced coma where I remained for 4 days. They were worried about brain damage and didn’t know if I would wake up. I have no memory of any of this, but I can imagine how traumatic this would have been for my loved ones, not knowing if I would wake up, and if I did, if I would have severe brain damage.

“On the 7th June I was awoken from the coma and I have since been recovering in hospital. Because of the high-quality CPR I received, the amazing care from the NHS I am making a good recovery and I am waiting for a defibrillator to be fitted before I can return home.

“I am extremely lucky to be alive and I want to raise awareness about the importance of being CPR trained & people knowing about public defibrillators and how to use them because this is what can save someone’s life.

“I’ve always been a fit lad and looked after myself and would never expect anything like this to happen to me, but that’s how quickly life can be turned upside down.

“I am not going to be able to work, play football or drive for a while and the recovery process will take time, but I am just grateful to be alive. Thank you so much for all the messages of support, it means the world to me and is helping me on my road to recovery.”

FC United of Manchester won the Fenix trophy with Captain Michael Potts. In the weeks running up to the final Neil Reynolds needed to choose a new Captain to replace Potts. Neil explains: “After working with Adam for a number of years I have not only witnessed his impressively consistent performances, that built his reputation of being the best left back in the league but also I have noticed that he has matured into a true leader.

“When Pottsy announced his break from the game, there was only one person for me. I already had Chaz as my vice-captain and thought it was time for another voice, so at the end of May I asked Doddy to be the Captain of FC United, in him I have someone I trust and respect and also someone that always leads by example and Integrity.”

Adam will have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) fitted which will detect any life-threatening or rapid heartbeat. The abnormal heartbeat is called an arrhythmia and if it occurs the ICD will quickly send an electrical shock to the heart. It is the same device Christian Eriksen had fitted following his cardiac arrest and has since seen him return to play in the Premier League.