The Barnsley FC staff member who collapsed before the game against Burton Albion at Oakwell on Saturday is 'stable' in hospital tonight.
Stephen Croft, who organises the child mascots on match days for the club, collapsed just before the start of the 3pm kick-off yards from the pitch in front of the away end. He received extensive treatment by club staff and ambulance workers before an air ambulance helicopter landed on the pitch.
Fans stayed in the ground and applauded the ambulance as it landed then the match was announced as cancelled at about 3.40pm. He was put into the air ambulance at 3.50pm and it flew away from the ground just before 4pm to Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.
Stephen's family made this statement on the club website: "The family of Stephen Croft would like to sincerely thank the Burton players and both clubs officials for their rapid response to Stephen’s collapse just before today’s game. He is now stable but in a poorly condition in Hospital, at Sheffield Northern General. Without their rapid response, he would not be here now.
"The family would like to thank both sets of fans for their dignity and understanding. This sort of incident brings out the best in people and that can be seen today in the stands and on the pitch at Oakwell. They are a credit to both teams.
"The family are humbled by the messages of support already received. It goes without saying we can all be proud of our ambulance services including the air ambulance, who we all couldn’t thank enough."
