Heart scare Peterborough fan upbeat ahead of cup final

Around 20,000 Peterborough United fans will descend on Wembley Stadium for Sunday's (March 30) Johnstone's Paints Trophy Final against Chesterfield. But for one the occasion will be extra special.

Seven weeks ago a Wembley final was the furthest thing away from Ray Stratton's mind. He was fighting for his life after collapsing while watching the Southern Area Final First leg against Swindon at Peterborough's ground.

Ray, 66, was revived by paramedics and taken to Peterborough hospital, where he spent two weeks, before having a pacemaker fitted at Papworth hospital in Cambridgeshire.

The retired carpenter from St Ives in Cambridgeshire was watching the cup tie with one of his sons when he fell ill.

'I was sitting there and my son asked me 'Are you alright?'. I said' Fine'. And the next thing I knew, even though there was no pain, my eyes went funny. I thought 'This will pass'. The next thing I could remember I was in hospital,' Ray recalled.

'I couldn't understand what was going on, I didn't know where I was... nothing.'

Staff and players at Peterborough checked on Ray's progress after the incident at London Road. Chairman Darragh MacAnthony was keen to have him as a cup final guest, while manager Darren Ferguson met him twice.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's cup final Ferguson said, 'He was in the club shop and I went and met him. I've met him since. I phoned his son the day after it happened because it was quite surreal really. It was a bit of a shock for everyone.

'I know it's been said before but it did put the game into perspective.'

Now Ray is hoping he can watch his beloved Peterborough win at Wembley for a third time following play-off wins at the famous stadium in 1992 and 2000.

'I'm lucky that I am able to go, very relieved after all that has happened to me.'