Tragically we learnt recently of the extremely sad news of a young footballer - Jordan Banks aged just 9, from Blackpool, who was struck down by lightening while attending a coaching session with his local club.

It was a timely reminder, that such tragedies continue to happen and I've know of, or been involved indirectly on several such occasions in the past. The first I can recall was of a famous Scottish player - John White, who played in the famous 'Double' winning Tottenham team, in the sixties. He was struck down by lightening while sheltering under a tree on his local golf course. Some years later when playing for Ilkeston Town, we heard lightening had struck very close by in a nearby local football park. We later learnt that 6 players had been killed by the lightening. On another occasion I took Rushden Diamonds Juniors to a tournament in Belgium. A storm came along and I was aware of lightening moving closer towards us. I went up to the referee and asked him to stop the game. Everyone retreated to the safety of the club house, until the storm eventually passed over.

Here are a few tips to protect yourself and your players during a thunderstorm.

Being outside when lightning is present is not something you should ever take lightly.

The weather forecast predicts the possibility of thunderstorms, and you can see a few fluffy white clouds overhead. So your team heads out to the pitch for a few minutes warming up. Suddenly you hear thunder rumblings, and a distant flash of lightning.

What do you do?

Keep playing until the thunder and lightning get closer?
Go sit on the metal bench under the trees to see what happens?
Or get in your car and drive home?

Correct answer:

Delay the game start.
Find the nearest suitable shelter nearby, or retreat to your cars and sit out the storm.

Being outside when lightning is present is something never to be taken lightly.

If the weather forecast predicts thunderstorms, postpone, or delay your activity.
Remember: When thunder roars, go indoors. Find a safe, enclosed shelter. Such as a team club house, changing rooms, or hard-top vehicles and ensure the windows are wound up.
Remember the golden 30-30 rule. When you see lightning appear, start counting to 30. If you hear thunder before you reach 30, make for shelter. Suspend activities for at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.
If you are in an open space area, quickly find shelter and remove yourself from danger. Crouching or getting low to the ground will not eliminate you from the danger.
If you are caught outside, the following actions may reduce your risk:
- Immediately leave elevated areas such as hills and high ground.
- Never lie flat on the ground.
- Never shelter under an isolated tree.
- Immediately move away from ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water.
- Stay away from any objects that conduct electricity (such as barbed wire, or metal fences, power lines etc).
Keep away from concrete floors or walls. Lightning can travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.
If you are in a group during a thunderstorm, space out to reduce the chance of injuries if lightning strikes the ground.

!!!…Avoid…!!!

Avoid open top vehicles such as convertibles.
Avoid open structures such as porches, gazebos, sports dugouts, and sports arenas.
Avoid wide open spaces such as golf courses, sports fields, parks, playgrounds, ponds, lakes, swimming pools, and beaches.
Avoid cycling, dismount and find shelter.
Avoid nearby tall structures.
Avoid lying on concrete floors, or leaning against concrete walls during a thunderstorm.
Lightning can travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.
Most importantly, take prompt action and - Stay Safe!!