'I believe it brought Pete back': West Brom family saved my husband from Covid-19
"They have proved to me that our club is not just about football. It is, in every sense of the word, a family.”
The wife of a devoted West Brom fan has spoken of how he battled back against coronavirus with the help of his Albion family.
Teresa George said she was told to say her goodbyes to her husband and Brummie Road ender Peter as he lay seriously ill in a coma in hospital.
But determined to summon one last moment of inspiration as her husband clung to life, she struck upon an idea - but needed the support of his blue and white army.
“He has always been mad about the Albion and I thought: ‘Music! Albion music," she said
"So we arranged for a friend who is a DJ to make a compilation of ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’, ‘Insomnia’ and ‘The Liquidator’ and Peter’s legs and arms started moving.
"It was the first signs of life we had seen since he went into the coma.”
WATCH the messages here:
Peter, aged 65, who lives in Redditch, first recalled feeling unwell at the last Baggies game he attended - the FA Cup tie against Newcastle United on March 3 at The Hawthorns.
But it was not until March 21 that he was taken into intensive care unit at Alexandra Hospital as his condition grew more serious and he was placed on a ventilator.
His wife Teresa then received a phone call to say her husband’s organs were failing and she would have to say goodbye to her husband.
Peter was put on dialysis which improved his condition slightly – but he was still showing no signs of coming out of his coma.
He then contracted deep vein thrombosis, with doctors putting his survival chances at just 30 per cent.
It was at this point Teresa wondered if Pete’s love for the Albion could stimulate her husband.
“As a family, the hospital was allowing us to see him by video calling him every day," she said.
Their nephew, Robert, contacted Rob Lake at The Albion Foundation, West Brom's charitable organisation.
Having spoken to the family, both Albion and the West Brom Former Players’ Association stepped in with Bob Taylor, Chris Brunt and Slaven Bilic all recording messages for Peter to listen to.
And his response was incredible.
“They sent us messages from Bob Taylor and Chris Brunt and one from Slaven Bilic the following day,” Mrs George said.
“We played them to Peter and his arms and legs started moving. The nurses actually had to restrain him. It was amazing.”
Rob got to work and within a few days, the recorded messages were being played by the nurses at Pete’s bedside.
“We need you back at The Hawthorns,” said Albion boss Slav.
“Make sure you fight this and come back to us.”
Mr George woke from his coma but was so weak he had to be placed back into it.
But Geoff Snape, from the West Brom Former Players’ Association, made sure he received a phone call from one of his idols every day.
He marshalled the troops in order that Peter received a daily deluge of messages of support including from Tony Brown, Graham Williams and Brendon Batson.
Even Bryan Robson's family got in touch to offer their best wishes.
Gradually his condition improved and Peter slowly but surely emerged from his coma.
On April 13 he was taken off the ventilator and went on to make a recovery from the virus.
And now the season ticket holder is back home and looking forward to returning to The Hawthorns.
“I believe it brought Pete back. He was in a place where he didn’t know how to get back and it was those messages that boosted him," his wife said.
“He can’t believe people of such standing would contact him. He can’t believe the players he adores have taken the time to contact him.
“To be part of the Baggies family is amazing and we cannot thank them all enough.
“It’s things like this that make West Brom special. They are a special club who produce special footballers.
“And they have all said the same thing. They received fantastic support when they were playing and now they want to give that support back to Pete.
“They haven’t done it for a photo opportunity or money, they have done it because they have a genuine love for their fans.
“We feel very lucky to be part of the Albion family. I honestly don’t believe we would have got the same support from any other club.”
As for Peter, who was greeted with Albion bunting on his return home, he is now planning a well-earned retirement in the not-too-distant future
And he has pulled on his beloved blue and white stripes to pay tribute to all those who have helped him.
He wanted to thank the doctors, nurses, physios and all the medical staff at the Alexandra, Worcestershire Royal and Malvern Communities hospitals.
“The NHS staff are just incredible,” he said.
“A lot of what happened when I was out of it I can’t remember and it’s a bit hazy at times but the care that I received makes me so proud of our nurses and medical staff. They are just brilliant and I owe them everything.
“I can’t believe so many of my heroes went to this trouble for me. But I’ve got the messages to keep for all time.
"Now I just can’t wait to get down to The Hawthorns again, get my seat in the Brummie Road and see the boys come out.
"None of us know when that will be - but I will be there.”
