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Both Safety Officer David Preece and his deputy Jim Chalmers expected a day of potential drama when they arrived for Kidderminster Harriers’ final game of the season – at home to Mansfield Town.

With Kiddy sitting just one place outside the Blue Square Bet Premier play-offs, they needed a home win and hope that Luton Town might fall to defeat champions Fleetwood Town.

But whilst there was drama on the pitch it wasn’t the scoreline that caused most concern.

As the pair prepared for the final whistle Harriers striker Anthony Malbon suffered head and neck injuries during time added on. With the player lying unconscious the easiest and quickest way to get him to hospital was by air ambulance.

That required a complete evacuation of the Aggborough Stadium so that the helicopter could land on the pitch.

It was a good test of the club’s evacuation procedures as Jim explains:

“It was towards the end of the game and we had to evacuate the Stadium to allow the removal of the player. The evacuation procedures went well with no problems and the ground empty and secure in under three minutes.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed:

“An ambulance arrived at the scene and took over treatment of the player who had received first aid from medics at the stadium and had regained consciousness.

“Due to the nature of the man’s head injuries, the Midlands Air Ambulance was called to the scene. The man’s condition was stabilised and he was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further assessment and specialist treatment.”

The player is expected to make a full recovery.