Staines Town chairman has heart attack

Jun 9 2009 By Jon Batham

STAINES TOWN FC was rocked this week by news chairman Alan Boon is in hospital after a heart attack.

Commercial manager Angie Payne confirmed the Swans’ supremo was admitted to St. Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey on Monday where he is undergoing tests.

The 63-year-old, who has been in charge at Wheatsheaf Park for 30 years, also has a chest infection which is delaying any prospect of exploratory surgery.

He’d first complained of chest pains while on holiday in Spain, from where he returned on Sunday.

Mrs. Payne told the Herald & News: "On the Richter scale of heart attacks a normal one is a three but Alan’s was a five so things have been serious.

"He’d thought it was just severe indigestion so slept on it when he got back from Spain on Sunday.

"He was driven to hospital Monday morning and walked into A & E himself. The hospital have said they don’t know how he managed to walk."

"Hopefully now he is responding to treatment."

The delay in any possible surgery means Boon is certain to miss Saturday’s Ryman League annual dinner where he and boss Steve Cordery were to receive a presentation in recognition of the club’s promotion to the Blue Square South last season.

The hope is he’ll be fighting fit for the start of the new season next month.

"Thank goodness it’s the close season," continued Mrs. Payne. The first friendly isn’t until July 11 so hopefully he’ll be a lot better by then."

Boon simply is Mr Staines Town and news of his heart attack led to the St Peters switchboard being jammed with calls from well wishers – so much so, staff have asked calls about his condition are directed to the family members or Payne at the club.

We are pleased to report however, the chairman’s illness doesn’t seem to have affected his fry sense of humour.

According to Mrs. Payne when the family visited yesterday he asked, "Have the papers called."

Yes they have Mr. Boon and all at the Herald & News send their best wishes for a speedy recovery.