Colwyn Bay v Trafford: 'Hero' linesman Zharir Mustafa saves player's life

Zharir Mustafa was described as a "hero" by the father of injured Trafford FC forward Danny Frost

A linesman has been hailed a "hero" after giving life-saving first aid treatment to a player who had suffered a serious head injury.

Zharir Mustafa reacted after Trafford FC forward Danny Frost collided with a perimeter barrier during a match at Colwyn Bay.

Mustafa told BBC Sport he does not see himself as a hero and did "what anyone else would have done".

The Evo-Stik NPL North match was abandoned after 65 minutes.

Frost was taken to a local hospital for a brain scan and checks before being given the all-clear and allowed to return home.

Gary Frost, Danny's father, said he was "eternally grateful" to Mustafa. "You sir, are a hero," he said.

He and both clubs also thanked Trafford sport rehabilitator Jake North, who "lay on a soaking pitch for 50 minutes supporting Danny's head".

Frost wrote on Twitter: "Words cannot describe how grateful I am and overwhelmed with all your messages."

How did the incident occur?

Colwyn Bay had been leading 2-0 before Frost suffered the injury when chasing down a long ball towards the goalline and being unable to halt his momentum in wet conditions.

An air ambulance had been called but was unable to attend because of the adverse weather and so Mustafa - who was closest to the incident - and the physios had to hold Frost in one position until the land ambulance could attend.

Mustafa, who lives on the Wirral, says he has been inundated by congratulatory messages on social media, as well emails from the Football Association and fellow officials.

"I was in the right place at the right time, I don't see myself as a hero, the player is the hero for recovering so quickly," he said.

"When Danny was put in the ambulance, his dad Gary was quite emotional and he hugged me, that is when I realised the impact I had made on the player and his family."

Trafford chairman John Eadie told BBC Sport Mustafa's "great job saved the player's life".

He added: "Danny knows very little about the incident, he was out cold for about 10 to 15 minutes and experiencing convulsions.

"He woke up startled, not knowing where he was and is still sore down one side. Incredibly, he wants to play on Saturday and is raring to go, but I think that is unlikely."

The game has been rescheduled for Thursday 26, April at 19:45 BST.

Trafford are sixth in the table, inside the play-off places, four points ahead of Colwyn Bay but having played two more games.

Frost gave the thumbs-up in hospital on Saturday with his nephew Charlie