Steve Kindon has spoken about his terrifying ordeal
When his “heart stopped working” during a Terriers game, town legend Steve Kindon disclosed that he was at the focus of a “frightening” medical issue.
After a health scare at John Smith’s Stadium, Kindon—a fan favourite because of his ability to intimidate opposing defenders during his Town days—was taken to the hospital.
The 74-year-old, who is now a popular after-dinner speaker, had a funny turn in the directors’ box when he headed to Huddersfield for a game.
But, thanks to the quick-thinking of local businessman Glenn Paxman, paramedics were summoned to his rescue, and a dangerously low heartbeat was diagnosed.
‘Kindo’ was whisked to hospital in Halifax and is now set to undergone treatment this week to get to the bottom of the issue after the drama that occurred midway through Town’s 2-0 defeat by Blackpool in September.
In an emotional interview with the Examiner, Kindon said, “I went to the Blackpool game with two or three pals who are Blackpool fans and arranged things with Andy Booth.”
“My friends were really impressed with the fantastic Bolster Moor pie shop, where they make the best pork pies in the entire country, so I always stop by.”
“I conducted an interview before the game once we got to the stadium, and I felt fine. I was then expected to go onto the pitch in time for halftime.
“To make sure I was in the right place at the right time for the halftime honours, I was watching the clock in the directors’ box.”
“And I told my friend, ‘I really don’t feel well enough, so I can’t do this.'” I had no energy left in me.
“Even though I’ve never run a marathon, I felt like I had just finished one because I was so exhausted.”
After my friend told me I didn’t look well, we went to my dear friend Glenn Paxman’s box in Huddersfield, which was more comfortable and quiet.
Glenn was incredibly cool, composed, and took everything in stride.
However, I don’t believe Andy Booth, who sat with me and whom I also consider a very close friend, had witnessed much of it and was really unhappy.
“After looking at me, Glenn, who is somewhat knowledgeable about heart problems, said, ‘Christ, we need the paramedics here, immediately.'”
Kindon claimed that when the paramedics settled him down and determined whether he needed to be sent to the hospital, he ended up sprawled out on the floor of Glenn’s private box.
Kindon said from his home in Lytham St Anne’s, “They insisted that I needed to go to the hospital, but I was stupid and said, ‘No, I’ll be all right – just give me a bit of time to recover and I’ll be fine.'”
“My blood pressure was examined since it should be 90 over 120, but they are worried about the 120 because it rises when the heart beats, which is a concerning indicator.
My heart wasn’t functioning normally instead of racing, and I was a pitifully low 64. “Stephen, we had someone higher than that, and he didn’t make it,” one of the paramedics stated.
“The fellow paramedics said you shouldn’t’ be saying that – it’s enough to give him a heart attack. But I have to admit it was a frightening experience – in effect there was no blood flowing round my body.”
At the end of the game Kindon said he “ended up in an ambulance with blue lights flashing and the siren blaring out all the way to hospital in Halifax”.
“They looked after my tremendously well on a lounger and every 45 minutes they tested my blood pressure,” Kindon added. “And they gave my aspirin which did the trick and my heart-rate rose and stalled at 95 before I began heading in the right direction again.
“I was in the hospital for more than 12 hours and then Glenn, who had followed me into hospital and stayed with me at my bedside till the small hours talking football and stuff, came back to pick me up and take me home.
“We went back to his house for lunch and then he took me back home to Lytham St Anne’s. That’s what friends are for. He’s worth his weight in gold.”
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Former Burnley and Wolves striker Kindon will be on the road again on Monday when he heads to Turf Moor to watch the Clarets face Leeds in a crunch Championship promotion clash.
And then he will undergo further treatment as heart specialists work out what went wrong at the Town match.
“I’ve got what they call a procedure in hospital on Tuesday where they’ll stick a camera into my to have a good look around,” Kindon added.
It’s all come as shock because I’ve got no history of heart issues but I did lose my son Adam to Covid at the start of the pandemic, when he was just 46 years and that is a factor.
“The reason I mentioned it I was afraid I was a bit silly and I started to drink to much and I think that caused my hear problem so i was self inflicted.
“But I’m not drinking now. I’m not tee-total. I drink socially and probably have a couple of beers with a meal.
You must not give up. Since they were young, I have assisted in raising my stepson and stepdaughter, as well as my five grandkids.
And when they invite me back, I’m excited to make up for lost time at Town by winning that halftime draw.
“I’m happy to see that Town is back on track under Michael Duff, who is a highly capable manager who, like myself, was a Burnley player once.
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