‘Welcome to Wrexham’ hero Paul Mullin was scared for his life after suffering a punctured lung against Manchester United, as he pictured his family when struggling to breathe.
WrexhamstrikerPaul Mullinthought he was going to die after colliding with now formerManchester Unitedgoalkeeper Nathan Bishop in pre-season.
The Red Dragons beat United 3-1 in a historic clash at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego this summer, but they struggled to enjoy the victoryafter their star striker was taken straight to hospital in the first half. Bishop came flying out of his area and caught Mullin dangerously, and oxygen was bɾօυɢҺt out as he struggled to breathe as a result of the impact.
Mullin suffered a punctured lung and has been resting in the United States since, as he’s been told not to travel home until he’s in a fit state. Mullin is comfortable in an apartment sorted by Hollywood ownersRyan ReynoldsandRob McElhenney, but at the time of the incident he was concerned that he may not make it.
“I was trying to breathe in but nothing was happening. I couldn’t get air into my lungs,” Mullin wrote inThe Athletic. “That’s when I knew it was bad. In that struggle for breath, with my lips turning blue, I accepted that this could be it for me.
“That’s how it felt. I couldn’t breathe properly for a few minutes. I was thinking about my little boy, Albi. I hate being away from him and my partner Mollie for too long but I had told myself it was only two weeks and that I’d be back home soon. It єɴԀed up being much longer, but I’m so thankful it wasn’t worse.”
Mullin has since been reflecting on the incident, trying to piece together his memory after such a traumatic experience. “I remember, a few seconds earlier, getting my head to the ball and then going down,” Mullin added.
“For someone like me who will do that kind of thing again and again, being winded is something I’m used to. It usually lasts around 10 seconds and is never nice. Only this time I couldn’t shake it. After a collision with Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop during a friєɴԀly, in the aptly named Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, my lung punctured from the impact and I fractured four ribs.”
Mullin was of course okay, and will be welcomed back in the near future by Wrexham who have made a stumbling start to life in League Two. Wrexham lost their first game of the league season 5-3 and then drew 1-1 to AFC Wimbledon the following week.
Wrexham beat Wigan Athletic on penalties in the first round of the Carabao Cup, but to stand the best chance in any competition they’ll need Mullin back. His health is the most important factor though, and he thanked the medical professionals for getting him thɾօυɢҺ a tough moment.
“Thanks to the amazing medical staff who got me thɾօυɢҺ it on the pitch and at UC San Diego Health, the hospital I was taken to, I am now very much on the mєɴԀ,” Mullin said. “I spent 13 hours on oxygen before being discharged. One of our physios, Ryan, was with me all night.”
