FOOTBALLERS nowadays get a rough ride - whether it is that they're paid too much, they dive around too much and they're involved in scandals.

That may be true for some players, but I think the whole of football should be proud of themselves during the past week for how they all came together to "pray for Muamba".

To cast your memories back, Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba collapsed with no one around him and had a cardiac arrest shortly before half-time of Saturday's FA Cup game against Tottenham Hotspur.

I was at my girlfriend's house at the time when a friend texted me what had happened.

My immediate reaction, like millions of other people, was of total shock.

How could something like that happen to someone who is so young and fit especially when teams are equipped with the very best doctors and medical equipment?

I think that is what is so scary - that some things still go undetected in athletes' bodies even though their hearts get regularly checked.

Thankfully, the Bolton and Tottenham doctors were quickly on the scene to treat Muamba and it goes without saying, that without them he would probably not be with us today.

The doctors at the White Hart Lane and those at the London Chest Hospital who have treated him since should be hugely commeded.

So too should all the players, supporters and media from all over the world whp have offered their support.

To hear that Muamba is now talking and breathing unaided is fantastic to hear.

Football can brilliant in uniting people and it was wonderful to see the minutes' applause that have taken place at grounds across the country, including Vale Park on Tuesday night prior to Port Vale's game against Hereford United, as well as fans showing their support through laying shirts and scarves at the Reebox Stadium or wearing T-shirts wishing for Muamba to make a speedy recovery.

Even the Real Madrid players had "get well Muamba" messages on their shirts during their LA Liga game against Malaga on Sunday.

Every football fan gets depressed whenever their team loses and is part of who they are.

Bill Shankly famously once said "some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude.

"I can assure you it is much, much more important than that."

I think that the events of Saturday evening prove that even he was wrong on that one.