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Former Sheffield Wednesday star Sam Hutchinson has disclosed that he suffered a heart attack during a match where his later goal clinched a League Two play-off spot. The veteran, aged 35,
received medical intervention to insert a stent into a clogged artery after feeling unwell following AFC Wimbledon's 1-0 victory over Grimsby on May 2. Remarkably, Hutchinson, who
started his professional journey at Chelsea, experienced a heart attack in the sixth minute yet managed to complete all 90 minutes on the pitch at Blundell Park, scoring the key goal in the
53rd minute. The serious nature of his condition only became apparent on the return trip, which eventually saw him go through heart surgery. "I was experiencing a lot of pain," he
shared with the club's official website. "I got on the coach after the game, the adrenaline wore off and I started having more pains in my chest. From there we made a pit stop in
Nottingham." He continued: "We went into the hospital and they essentially told me I'd had a heart attack. I was in there for five days having tests done. "A branch of an
artery was blocked 75 per cent – I had an angiogram and had a stent put in by a specialist in London who was unbelievable. I'm on the road to recovery now." With the Dons
progressing to Monday's play-off final against Walsall, Hutchinson will be observing from the sidelines. He is, however, already back to jogging and holds positive expectations about
returning to football. Overcome with emotion, he expressed, "I broke down when they told me in the hospital because playing football is all I ever want to do," and added, "I
didn't care that I had a heart attack, I'm not really like that." The player recounted the incident, saying: "It happened in the sixth minute of the game, I carried on
and played the full 90. The specialist in London has told me there's no problem with playing football again, so I'm happy." He went on to express his determination: "I
ran (on Monday), believe it or not. A lot of people say things slow down but I feel really good. I'm going to crack on and come back bigger and stronger." Despite his eagerness, he
acknowledged the risks involved in an upcoming match: "I am absolutely devastated I can't play on Monday. I genuinely think I could play. It would be dangerous but I could play. I
would love to, I'm not going to."