LEICESTER CITY legend and club ambassador Alan Birchenall suffered a heart attack at an awards ceremony last night – with fans set to support him at the King Power tomorrow.
The attacking midfielder, nicknamed “The Birch”, 71, was making a presentation at the Leicester Mercury Sports Awards when he collapsed and was taken to hospital where he is in a stable condition.
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According to a BBC Radio Leicester reporter, the stunned 500-strong audience remained silent as he was treated by medical staff on stage.
And his doctor confirmed that the use of a defibrillator saved his life – having previously helped raise funds for the use of the lifesaving equipment in 20 Leicestershire schools.
Leicester City, who said Mr Birchenall was on official club duty presenting the awards, sent their “love and best wishes for a speedy recovery” – as did his first club, Sheffield United.
And fans have gone one step further, planning to show their support for Birchenall at tomorrow’s home game against Premier League leaders Chelsea – fitting as he is also a former Blues player.
Supporters at King Power Stadium are being encouraged to turn on their mobile phone lights to show the club ambassador that they are thinking of him.
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Given he wore the number 10 shirt during his playing days at the Foxes, the tribute will take place in the 10th minute of tomorrow’s match, with Blues fans set to join in.
Birchenall has even been on Facebook to thank everyone, writing: “To everyone that sent me good wishes, thank you!!
“Hopefully op tomorrow and with a bit of luck be out next week and sorry I can’t reply to everyone but your love and best wishes have been overwhelming!!!
“To all of them that know me, you know my favourite song’s…. Staying Alive! Birchy”
He was born in East London in 1945, but moved to Nottinghamshire when he was four years old.
As a youth, he was spotted by Sheffield United, before going on to play for Crystal Palace and Chelsea – but the majority of his playing career came at Leicester, making 163 appearances and scoring 12 goals.
Famously, during a match against Sheffield United in 1975, The Birch and friend Tony Currie clattered into each other and kissed while sitting on the ground – causing huge controversy at the time.
The attacking midfielder later had spells with Notts County, Blackburn Rovers and Luton Town, before running a pub in his retirement.
He was awarded an MBE for his charity work in 2002 and seven years later he was given the Freedom of Leicester as a hugely popular figure - and is always at club home games as an ambassador.
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