by Jenni Horn

Vital screenings given to Gillingham's youth team players revealed two of the nine - including manager Andy Hessenthaler's son - had heart problems.

The details were revealed as it was announced that 100 more young people can be screened for heart problems thanks to fundraising in memory of talented young footballer Jack Maddams.

The announcement was made at Priestfield, which is where the heart screening day will be held.

Youth team coach Darren Hare, who suffered three heart attacks earlier this year, said the players are given heart screenings when they arrive at the club aged 16.

A mobile unit from the FA visited the ground last year to test the nine new intakes.

Two of the boys, including Jake Hessenthaler, had to have further checks when their ECG tests detected defects.

Darren explained: "Jake's ECG picked up something called long QT syndrome, which can be dangerous. It can cause cardiac arrest.

"And Nathan Nyafli was found to have an abnormal heart rhythm.

"We had to pull both of them out of training immediately until we could get them seen by a specialist consultant in London. It was a worrying time.

"Luckily they were both given the all-clear and allowed to continue to play. But it just shows how common it can be."

"I'm sure similar things happen at clubs up and down the country, and for some boys it could turn out to be more serious."

Jack Maddams, of Georgian Way, Wigmore, was just days away from his 18th birthday when he died in his sleep in 2008. It was later discovered the Rochester Math School pupil had a genetic heart problem which had gone undetected.

Since his death, Jack's family has raised more than £17,000 for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). Priestfield is a fitting place to hold the event because Jack played for the club's youth team for seven years.

Darren, who is head of youth at the Gills and used to coach Jack, is calling on young people to book an appointment.

He only recently returned to work after his heart attacks earlier this year. He was born with a heart defect and had to undergo surgery when he was eight.

He said: "This screening day is about identifying risks in young people, specifically young, fit people like Jack.

"Like in Jack's case you never know when a heart problem could occur or who it could happen to.

"My 17-year-old son Joshua is part of the youth team so he was given a heart screening here but if he hadn't, this screening day is something I would want him to go to, especially considering my history."

A free heart screening day will take place at Priestfield this Sunday. Anyone, aged 14 to 35, can book an appointment. The test takes just 20 minutes. Visit www.crygillinghamfc.wordpress.com or call Roger Maddams on 07905607706.