THE chairman of Farnham football club, Keith Haskell, and his daughter, Claire, were praised by Redhill Football Club for assisting its vice-chairman, who suffered a suspected heart attack.

Last Saturday's FA Vase clash between the two teams was dramatically stopped in the closing minutes after Alan Thurlbeck collapsed soon after Redhill scored their decisive goal.

His club extended a special thanks for the quick thinking of those who administered CPR to him, including the Haskells, Jenny Dorey and Emma Woods.

Emergency services were quick to attend the scene, and Redhill captain Danny Vante found himself helping lift Mr Thurlbeck, who is in his 70s, into the ambulance.

The secretary of Redhill Football Club, Neil Hoad, said: "We are extremely grateful to those who helped Mr Thurlbeck, and worked hard to keep him alive.

"We were told that he would not have made it without their help. We have visited him in hospital and the last we heard was that he was in a critical condition."

Mr Haskell commented that they were pleased to have been of assistance and hoped he would make a good recovery.

Mr Thurlbeck was taken to Royal Surrey Hospital, which was unable to confirm his condition at the time of going to press.