Lancastrian Eddie was working in his role as a referee’s coach when he suffered a heart attack before Burnley’s game against Newcastle United last November.

The 64-year-old was revived at Turf Moor before going to hospital at Blackpool where he subsequently underwent triple by-pass surgery.

He resumed duties ahead of schedule on 2 March – returning to Turf Moor for the visit of Crystal Palace.

And last month, ahead of the Clarets’ game against Manchester City, Wolstenholme was presented with a defibrillator by two of the paramedics who helped saved his life, which he will have installed in his home community.

“I’m happy to help out with anything to do with this,” Eddie said.

“I can’t thank those two paramedics and the doctors from Burnley and Newcastle enough.

“If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here.

“People said I’ve had a bad year. I say I’ve had the best year of my life. I’m so lucky to be alive. I’ve felt the best I have for two years.

“I made sure my first game back was at Burnley because everyone was so good and Sean Dyche was terrific, texting me every few days, as was Rafa Benitez in getting in touch to see how I was.”

Picture: Eddie Wolstenholme with (left) Jane Atkinson (Community Resuscitation Development Officer for the North West Ambulance Service) and Senior Paramedic Team Leader Caroline Hargreaves, who were on duty on the night of Eddie's collapse.

POS	Team	PL	PTS
15	FOR	5	5
16	BUR	5	4
17	BRE	5	4

POS	Team	PL	PTS
15	FOR	5	5
16	BUR	5	4
17	BRE	5	4

Extra Time For Eddie

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