GAVE HIS BLOOD

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 124, 22 November 1932, Page 3

GAVE HIS BLOOD

BEFORE SOCCER MATCH

FOOTBALLER'S FEAT

The moving story of a London footballer who asked to be excused a League match so that lie might have a pint and a half of blood transfused to the veins of his wife to save her life- has just, been revealed by the necessity for a medical examination, says the London "Evening News." ,

The player is "William J, Phillips, inside-forward of Clapton Orient F.C., formally of Midwall, Thames, and "West Ham United. ;

Here are the facts as told to the "Evening News 3' by Mr. Seed, the Clapton .Orient manager: ''After a match at Coventry,','. he said, "Phillips asked permission to go to Woiverhampton and stay there until Thursday, the day fixed for the; operation upon his wife in a hospital there. "On Friday I had an urgent wire from him. His wife's condition was serious, and a transfusion of blood was necessary.

"In these circumstances I consented, so that instead of playing for us on the Saturday Phillips was at Wolverhampton submitting to this transfusion. "Phillips wanted to play in a coming match against Northampton, and I was puzzled to 'know how a manj strong though he is, could give a' pint and a half of blood and play a hard game of football a week later.

"I called in the club doctor, and after he had put Phillips through violent exercises and tested his pulse, he exclaimed, 'The man's as fit as could be!' He was as astounded as I was.

"So Phillips will play. "The whole incident is typical of Phillips, one of the finest men I have ever met in football."

"Why shouldn't I play?" said Phillips. "The anxiety as regards my wife has lifted. She is'going on well. As to. the transfusion, I don't understand what all the fuss is about. • I felt nothing more at the time than the pin-prick and have felt nothing since. '' The doctor chose me from three volunteers, the others being my wife's brother and a local wan who very generously came forward."