Former professional footballer Noel Blake has shared the story of his stroke recovery, revealing the emotional and physical challenges he faced after the life-changing event in 2015. The 53-year-old, who played for Portsmouth, Leeds, and Exeter, among others, described how the stress of leaving his role as England under-19s coach may have triggered his stroke.
Blake, who also managed Exeter and worked for the Football Association, said the way he was treated during his departure from the FA was an 'emotional trigger'. He explained that changes in leadership under technical director Dan Ashworth led to his exit, and he struggled to cope with the experience. 'It all really affected me, more than I realised at the time,' he said.
After leaving the FA, Blake joined Blackpool as a coach but soon found himself in another difficult situation. The club faced financial troubles, and manager José Riga left after four months. Blake left shortly after, and within six weeks, he suffered a stroke. He recalled feeling 'wobbly' and lethargic during a walk, and later his speech began to slur while talking with friends.
His wife, a hospital PA, recognised the symptoms and took him to triage. Doctors confirmed he had had a stroke, and Blake broke down. A nurse offered perspective by pointing to another patient who had suffered a more severe stroke, which gave him some relief. However, he became emotional when he called his mother to break the news.
Blake admitted that 'self-pity came into it' as he was a proud man who had lost the athleticism he cherished. He reflected on the dark side of recovery, noting that for professional athletes, being robbed of their physical abilities is particularly hard. Despite the challenges, he has focused on healing and hopes to one day share more details about his experiences.
