FORMER Westbury-on-Severn skipper Neil Lewis is back on a rugby field, just a year after being told he would never play the game he loved again.
The 32-year-old builder, nicknamed Charlie, came off complaining of shoulder pains during a match with Greyhound in October 2009.
He thought he had dislocated his shoulder, but soon realised things were much worse.
He said: "I actually suffered a massive heart attack.
"They told me around 70 per cent of people die from the sort of heart attack I had."
Neil was rushed from the Dilke Hospital to the Bristol Royal Infirmary where doctors fought to clear an artery that was 97 per cent blocked.
He was off work for several months after having a stent fitted into the damaged artery and told to change his lifestyle.
That meant giving up cigarettes, taking tablets for life and no more rugby.
Quitting rugby, however, proved to be one sacrifice too many.
He said: "The doctors said I'd never play again, but now they're happy for me to do so.
"I recently went for my 12 months check up and everyone was pleased with how I'm doing.
"I made my comeback in the president's match to open the new changing rooms, but I'm taking things steady.
"I'm not playing 80 minutes, just 10 or 15.
"I've been doing light training and swimming and I'm off some of the tablets, although I still have to take about six per day.
"The club have also received a letter from my doctor giving me the go ahead to return.
"Being able to play rugby again is a big boost."