'I’ve had a second chance and I’m determined to make the most of it' - Ian Rush
Ian Rush
Ian Rush(Image: Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
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Welsh football legend Ian Rush has told how he feared he would die after contracting flu. Liverpool's all-time leading goalscorer collapsed at his home in Chester.
Rush, 64, who grew up in Flint and is an ambassador for Liverpool FC, was admitted to the Countess of Chester hospital with breathing difficulties. Rush admitted: “It was frightening, and I honestly thought I wasn’t going to survive."
The St Asaph-born former Wales, Liverpool and Wrexham player was giving his first interview since his terrifying ordeal last month. The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here’s how to sign up
He told the Mirror: "I got up around 2am because I was struggling to breathe and went downstairs to make myself a cup of tea.
“Because I hadn’t been feeling too great anyway I had booked an appointment to see my doctor at 9am. It got to around 4am and I was feeling worse.
“Carol [fiancée] called the ambulance because I was now really fighting hard to breathe. They came within ten minutes and stayed with me for an hour and a half and they were brilliant.
“They asked if I wanted to go to the hospital, but I had come round and was feeling a lot better so decided to remain at home. But within ten minutes of them leaving I collapsed and so we had to phone again for an ambulance.
“This time the ambulance took a lot longer to arrive. I was on the floor gasping for breath. I honestly thought this was it, I was a goner.
"I was panicking, but while we were waiting for another ambulance Carol got me through it all by telling me how to try and calm down and breathe more easily. She was fantastic."
Rush added: “When the ambulance people came I was on the floor completely white and looking as if I needed to be resuscitated. I needed oxygen to help me get through a terrifying experience.
“Eventually they got me into the ambulance to take me to the Countess of Chester hospital just a few miles away with the blue light activated. I was in A&E for 48 hours and in a general ward for three days after that before being allowed home."
Rush added: “Carol stayed by my bedside every night without fail. Liverpool Football Club were fantastic and provided the support and love which made everything so much better.
Wales and Liverpool FC legend Ian Rush
Wales and Liverpool FC legend Ian Rush
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(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
"They are a family club after all, and that’s what counts in times like this. LFC went above and beyond.”
Rush is a coveted Liverpool ambassador and the club’s greatest goalscorer with 346 goals, but that all pales into insignificance when illness strikes. He said: “It certainly made me think more about life.
"There are three things - which will remain private - which I vowed to address as quickly as possible.
“Too often you always put things off. Well this was some reality check and I will sort things out without hesitation in 2026. It’s like I’ve had a second chance and I’m determined to make the most of it.”
That has started in Dubai, where he is a regular visitor and friend of the ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Rush revealed: “I was told the best way to aid my physical recovery was to enjoy some sunshine so here I am in Dubai.
“I was due to come out to Dubai anyway for a world sports summit involving various sports people like Cristiano Ronaldo and Novak Djokovic. I’m involved due to talk about my career. It’s about the one percent in sports stars that makes the difference.
“The vision is that of his excellency Khalfan Belhoul and being a good friend he has been a great support and it's an honour to represent the one percent of top sports people and to fly the flag for LFC in the region.
"The sports council here have been fantastic allowing me to use some superb facilities. I’m doing a lot of swimming. The facilities here are second to none and I feel a million times better.
"I do special breathing exercises three times a day. I’m chilling out so when I return home next month I will feel back to normal.
"After all, we are all human. It doesn’t matter who you are, everyone is vulnerable to illness. I’ve had some great messages which have really helped me.
“Luckily just before all this I had my flu jab. Without it I was told things could have been even worse, so for anyone reading this don’t hesitate to have yours.”