By John Baron
Farsley Celtic’s Lewis Turner has thanked physios and paramedics who saved his life after he had to be resuscitated following a suspected cardiac arrest.
Turner, 32, collapsed on the pitch during the first half of last Tuesday’s FA Trophy tie at Gateshead.
“After what has been a really tough week, I am now back at home with my family,” Turner posted on X.
“I can’t thank the medical staff and paramedics enough for treating me at the game. In particular Frazer Bell, Gateshead’s physio, who performed CPR on me and saved my life.
“I have been overwhelmed by the support I received on the night from the players and staff from both clubs, and for all the messages and well wishes me and my family have received. We are so grateful.”
A club statement on Sunday said Turner was back at home recuperating with his family, and will undergo further tests.
“It is too early to tell [what his plans are] long term, so we wish Lewis all the best in his recovery and will update you as and when possible, and we look forward to seeing him again soon!” the statement added.
Farsley Celtic travel to Gateshead looking to fulfil the fixture for the third time tonight (7.45pm kick off). Last Tuesday’s game was called off before half time following Turner’s collapse and the game was also postponed 40 minutes before kick off the previous Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch.
Since a 2-0 win on 5 November at Kings Lynn, The Celts have lost their last five league matches.
Pitch update
The club has also issued an update on the ongoing saga with installing a new artificial pitch at The Citadel. According to the club, engineers have assessed the surface and now told Farsley additional works are needed to what was already planned.
The club say that Storm Darragh left the pitch in a “severely waterlogged state”, and last month’s snowfall has also pushed back progress.
Fans were initially told that the club’s first four home games in National League North would be played away from home, with a return date in September.
A club statement said: “As per our previous post relating to the pitch (28 November) the CBR survey was scheduled for the following week (5 December), however this was disrupted by storm Darragh, which left the pitch in a severely waterlogged state.
“Engineers visited the site at the end of [last] week when the pitch had sufficiently drained, and decided that given the recent weather conditions (heavy snow and water logging) a CBR survey would not be necessary as the pitch would require the additional works as part of the main program.
“This information has been agreed on and signed off … and they have now gone away to plan the additional works, in terms of pricing, timescales, additional activities and to then put that in a program of works.
“They are aware of the urgency of this and have assured us that they will come back to us as quickly as they possibly can, and when they do we will update you.
“Again we can only apologise to all involved. We too are majorly suffering in a multitude of ways, but we can assure you that we are doing our absolute best to make this happen as quickly as we can. We do not want to be in this position at all, and the sooner it is resolved the better for everyone involved, and once it has been the club’s long term future will be secured.”
A fan boycott of ‘home’ games, which are now being played more than 70 miles away in Buxton, continues.