Wigan Athletic would like to provide the following update on first team striker Charlie Wyke.
- Update | Charlie Wyke
- Wigan Athletic FC would like to provide the following update on first team striker Charlie Wyke, who has now left hospital following a medical procedure
- Latics striker Wyke has sent a message to Latics supporters and the wider football community to provide an update following his collapse on Monday 22 November
We are pleased to confirm Latics striker Charlie Wyke left hospital on Thursday morning after undergoing a medical procedure this week.
The 28-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest during training on Monday 22 November and, after the swift action of his manager Leam Richardson and club doctor Jonathan Tobin stabilised his condition, he was taken to the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan before being transferred to the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.
Charlie has undergone testing and monitoring with Dr. Rob Cooper, consultant cardiologist, and the Club’s medical staff over the past ten days, culminating in a medical procedure that has allowed him to safely leave hospital. The procedure, which is reversible, was the fitting of an implantable defibrillator to provide protection to Charlie on his road to recovery.
Club staff have been in constant communication with Charlie throughout the past ten days and the striker has asked us to publish the following message:
“First and foremost, I just want to stress my sincere appreciation to the Club’s medical staff and the NHS staff who have cared for me after I was taken into hospital last week. In particular, I would like to mention Dr. Rob Cooper from the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital for everything he has done for me over the last week or so.
“I feel it’s important to tell my story to our supporters and to the wider public, because my life has been saved by the actions of the gaffer [Leam Richardson] and the club doctor Jonathan Tobin, and my story may well save another life.
“As you are aware, I collapsed during training on Monday. I suffered a cardiac arrest and required CPR, and I am told it was only the quick response of the gaffer to initiate the resuscitation process and then the continuation from the Doc that saved my life. I will be forever grateful that due to their actions – and those of my teammates and other staff - I am here to talk to about the experience.
“Thankfully, just a few weeks ago, the training ground staff had received CPR training, which has clearly proven to be life-saving with the way in which the gaffer reacted to my collapse and initiated the CPR on the training pitch. I think that sends out a message of just how important it is that coaches and staff have that training.
“The support from my teammates over the last few days has been incredible; the gesture to celebrate with my shirt at Plymouth just goes to show what a top group of lads we have here at Wigan. I’ve heard the fans singing my name when I’ve been watching the games from hospital too, which has been amazing to hear – I’m really thankful for that support.
“I have received thousands of messages from supporters of all of the Clubs I have played for, the wider football community and beyond, and the well-wishes have meant the world to me and my family. It was a real boost for me to see the photo of my former teammates at Sunderland wishing me well - a class touch from a great set of lads.
“I’m looking forward to going home to my son, partner and friends and family for the next few days.
“I can’t wait to get back to the training ground next week to see the lads, where I will start some light training that begins the process of hopefully being able to get back to full training with the team next year.
“Thank you for all of the support. Charlie”.
Wigan Athletic chief executive Mal Brannigan expressed his delight that Charlie can now leave hospital and return home to his family.
“I’d echo Charlie’s sentiments that we are incredibly grateful to the quick thinking and reaction of Leam and the Doc [Dr. Jonathan Tobin], as well as the staff and players at the training ground last Monday.
“Clearly it was a traumatic experience for those that witnessed Charlie’s collapse and everyone has rallied together to support one another in the days that have followed.
“As I said last week, the absolute priority for everyone associated with Wigan Athletic is Charlie’s health and wellbeing and we’ll continue to provide support to Charlie and his family.
“We’re looking forward to Charlie’s return to Christopher Park next week; as Leam mentioned at the weekend, Charlie isn’t just an excellent footballer but a really good person that is so popular amongst his teammates and the staff here.
“The chairman [Talal Al-Hammad] and I have been able to speak to Charlie on the phone, he’s been watching every minute of our games from hospital and I know he is eager to watch the lads at the DW next week.
“On behalf of everyone at Wigan Athletic, I would like to express our gratitude to the football family for the well wishes we have received on Charlie’s behalf.”