A FOOTBALL club doctor who saved the life of a fan has been rewarded for her public spirited actions.

Dr Joyce Watson had been relaxing following match duties at Accrington Stanley when she rushed to deal with an emergency.

Supporter Robert Taylor had been viciously attacked and Dr Watson gave him vital first aid, assisted by a number of others.

Yesterday she received a certificate from the High Sheriff of Lancashire, Ruth Winterbottom and £500 in a ceremony at Preston Crown Court.

But Dr Watson, from Burnley and Accrington Stanley's club doctor for six years, insisted she was only doing her job when she sprang into action following a game in April last year.

Dr Watson, who is a GP at a practice in Blackburn, was told by High Sheriff Ruth Winterbottom: "Your actions demonstrated not only great professionalism, but courage."