Great Wakering Rovers pair Jay Nash and Jacob Cleaver to the rescue after Phoenix Sports defender 'swallows his tongue'

In the second-half of Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Phoenix Sports, Jake Gordon burst through and unwittingly clattered into Phoenix defender Steve Springett knocking the defender out cold.

Nash and Cleaver were first on the scene, and the first-aid trained pair were quick to get Springett into the recovery position, although Nash said he was worried when he looked in the defender’s mouth and couldn’t see his tongue.

“I saw he was knocked out straight away so we waved the physios on but I didn’t just want to leave him lying there,” said the 23-year-old. “I put him in the recovery position with Jacob and it was only because of a video online that I knew what to do really.

“I couldn’t see his tongue but I did manage to pull it out of his mouth and just kept talking to him and asked him to keep responding so I could see his tongue.

“We were just glad to help.”

The video Nash is referring to occurred during a Ukrainian Premier League match last year between Dynamo Kiev and Dinipro, after a Kiev player collapsed after a collision with the goalkeeper.

A Dinipro player sprang into action to clear the passageway of the unconscious player, in an action that ultimately saved his life.

And Nash, who runs a personal training service out of Specifix Studio, in London Road, Leigh, with Cleaver said he wasn’t trying to be a hero but simply did what came naturally to him.

“Jacob and I just wanted to help,” he said. “My job means I have to know a bit of first aid and be aware of these things and luckily it came in useful.

“We saw Steve in the clubhouse afterwards and he was doing OK, so I am just glad we were able to help.”

Springett, who had scored for Phoenix earlier in the match, was substituted and was reported to be recuperating well.

A last minute goal from Charlie Barlow was enough to secure a point for Rovers, in a match they were trailing 3-1 in at half-time.-