BOSSES behind a football club are ‘delighted’ after receiving a life-saving defibrillator thanks to Premier League funding.

Askam United Football Club is in the process of installing a defibrillator after receiving funding for the device from the Premier League.

The device will be available to the public 24/7 and positioned external to the clubhouse in Duddon Road.

The Premier League announced last year that it would be providing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at more than 2,000 grassroots clubs and facilities, with the aim of helping save the life of someone experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest.

Over 30,000 people of all ages suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital every year and less than one in 10 survive.

The football community was left in shock last year after Denmark's midfielder Christian Eriksen required urgent CPR on the pitch during the Euro 2020 clash against Finland in Copenhagen in June last year.

And former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba also collapsed during a match in 2012 upon suffering a cardiac arrest.

A spokesman for the club said they thought it was ‘important’ to have the vital equipment available for use, should it ever be called upon.

He said: “I’m sure we can all remember the horrific moment of Euro 2020 when Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the field of play.

“The availability of a defibrillator was vital in saving Eriksen’ life. As a club we knew it was important that we have this vital piece of life saving equipment available for use, should it ever be called upon.

“We are delighted to announce we have received a defibrillator and storage unit thanks to funding from the Premier League.

“We are now in the process of installing this life saving equipment, external to our clubhouse - which will then be available 24/7 at Askam United Football Club - not only to the Football Club but to the general public too.

“We will confirm at a later date once the unit is in place, registered with the relevant authorities and fully available for use.”