Former Chelsea midfielder Sam Hutchinson revealed he had a heart attack during a game for AFC Wimbledon in which he scored the goal to seal a League Two play-off spot
Jonathan Veal
11:40, 21 May 2025
Sam Hutchinson has underwent heart surgery, AFC Wimbledon have confirmed
Sam Hutchinson had a heart attack before scoring a crucial match-winning goal
AFC Wimbledon midfielder Sam Hutchinson revealed he had a heart attack during the game where his goal later sealed a League Two play-off place.
The 35-year-old has undergone surgery to place a stent in a blocked artery after he fell ill following his side's 1-0 win at Grimsby on May 2. Hutchinson, whose career began at Chelsea, had a heart attack in the sixth minute but went on to play the full 90 minutes at Blundell Park, scoring the 53rd-minute winner.
It was only on the journey home that his symptoms worsened, leading him to have heart surgery. "I was experiencing a lot of pain," he told the club 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.
"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.
Hutchinson scored the winner vs Grimsby, before his health scare after the final whistle
Hutchinson scored the winner vs Grimsby, before his health scare after the final whistle
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"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."
The Dons made it through to Monday's play-off final against Walsall, where Hutchinson will take a watching brief. However, he is already back running and is expecting to resume his career.
"I broke down when they told me in the hospital because playing football is all I ever want to do," he said. "I didn't care that I had a heart attack, I'm not really like that.
Sam Hutchinson, Chelsea. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Sam Hutchinson came through at Chelsea(Image: Darren Walsh, Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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"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."
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He added: "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.
"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."