32-year-old father forced to retire after discovery of hereditary heart condition 

Professional footballer Andy Scott has spoken of his devastation after being told his life could be in danger if he ever plays the game again. 

The Leyton Orient midfielder, who lives in Chaldon, was stunned to learn he had the same heart condition that killed Cameroon international Marc-Vivien Foe while he was playing for his country in June 2003. 

Doctors only diagnosed the killer condition after Andy collapsed in the dressing room five weeks ago – and now he has been forced to walk away from the game he loves.  But his case could persuade the Football Association (FA) to make all players have a heart scan. 

The 32-year-old slumped to the floor during the match at Cheltenham Town having complained for several weeks of feeling ‘heavy-legged’ in matches.  Against Cheltenham, there was ever greater cause for concern and he now wants to raise awareness of the killer hereditary disease to warn others. 

His seven-year-old son Lewis, a pupil at St John’s Primary School, in Caterham, is to be tested this summer to find out if he has been born with the same condition. 

Andy, who played more than 400 games across all divisions, and led Orient out on Saturday, recalled: “After about half an hour I was running back towards my own goal and had to stop in my tracks.  I couldn’t run any further.  I had chest pains, was out of breath and thought I was going to have a heart attack.” 

He managed to get to half time, but sat in the dressing room for 45 minutes totally exhausted. 

“I felt my heart pounding in my chest and didn’t have the energy to get up and have a shower.” 

It was only after Andy had undergone a second electrocardiogram (ECG) test that the cause was revealed. 

He recalled: “I was told I had Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and had to retire straight away.  My first thought was to thank God I was alive.  If I had continued to play that day I could have died at any time.” 

He added: “Because the strain of the condition enlarges the heart and restricts blood flow, what I’ve got is low risk. 

“I can swim or go for a gentle bike ride, but I can never do anything strenuous again. 

“The other day I got up out of bed and just desperately wanted to go training.  I love training and I love playing football and now I have to get used to the fact that I can’t do that any more. 

“The thing I’ll miss the most is the camaraderie in the dressing room, and running out in front of the crowd on the first day of the season.” 

Now he is focusing on increasing awareness about the disease and encouraging everyone to have a simple test to detect early signs. 

“All the YTS boys at professional clubs are now getting checked. 

“All it takes is one ECG scan to find out whether you have the disease or not.” 

He added: “I have been talking with the Tadworth-based charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and they have been excellent. 

“They are talking with the FA, trying to ensure that every player in the game has the ECG scan.  It only costs £34 per player so it’s not a huge amount.” 

Andy and his wife Gina, who are expecting their second child, had no hesitation in deciding to test Lewis, to ensure he can be protected if the heart condition has been passed on.

“He loves kicking a ball around and is always running around.  No one in my family had this strain of the disease so hopefully he hasn’t got it,” said Andy, whose father suffers with heart trouble. 

Andy, who grew up in Woodmansterne, led the team out for the last time on Saturday, hand-in-hand with Lewis. 

“The day was amazing.  It was more than I could have hoped for, just unbelievable from the moment I got to the ground until I left everyone was just great. 

“I have only been there just over a year but the reception the crowd gave me when I lead the boys out was amazing, it will stay with me for ever.” 

Andy started his career at non-league Sutton United, before being snapped up by Sheffield United in 1992.  He scored on his debut against Chelsea. 

His successful career included spells at Brentford and Oxford United before he arrived at Brisbane Road.  Andy is planning to stay involved with the game and will probably have scouting or coaching opportunities with Leyton. 

“The club are very keen to keep me involved on some level.  I have spoken to the manager Martin King and chairman Barry Hearns and they both want me to stay with the club.  It might be scouting or some media work. 

“But at the moment I’m still just trying to sort myself out.  I’ve been playing football for 14 years and I’ve got to get used to the idea that I can’t play or train anymore.” 

Leyton have organised a pre-season friendly with Brentford to help Andy. 

Find out more about Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)