Former Millwall player Tobi Alabi wants greater awareness of cardiac health issues

Former Millwall player Tobi Alabi has stated not enough is being done to educate young footballers on cardiac health issues ahead of a charity game to raise awareness at his old club on Tuesday.

Alabi, who came through the youth team ranks with the Lions, was forced to retire from football at the age of 19 after suffering a heart attack on the pitch.

Now Alabi has organised a charity match at the Den to raise funds for Heart for More, the charity he set up to awareness of cardiac-related issues within the game.

Belgian player Gregory Mertens passed away last week, three days after suffering a cardiac arrest playing in a reserve team match for Sporting Lokeren, and Alabi believes cardiac health is an issue which requires urgent attention by football’s governing bodies.

When asked if enough is being done to protect players, Alabi told Sky Sports News HQ: “You’ll be told there is but there is not. There is a lot of speculation, a lot of talking but not a lot of action.

“There is not enough awareness being given to players and people involved in the game of these cardiac health issues.

“The foundation has been put in place to raise awareness of cardiac health issues in young people as well as working with young people in the community to raise aspirations and empower them and increase employability.

“In 2013 I suffered a heart attack on the field of play. My heart stopped for a period of time and subsequently, after tests in hospital, I had to retire from the game.

“I have a pacemaker fitted as a result of the most serious collapse I had in April last year when my heart stopped beating for a minute.”

Tuesday’’s game featured a Millwall Legends XI which including manager Neil Harris, his assistant Dave Livermore, plus Tony Warner, Scott Barron, Kenny Cunningham, Robbie Ryan, Stuart Nethercott, Matt Lawrence, Danny Hockton, Gary Alexander and Alan Dunne.

Current Millwall striker Aiden O'Brien and Hockton each scored twice in a 6-1 win for the Legends team, with O'Brien also setting up a goal for Harris. Mark Hammond was also on target and Alabi had a run-out late in the game, missing a golden chance to score their seventh.