Evertonian Steve Lyth has vowed to reward two fellow Blues with an exclusive Goodison experience after they saved his life following a sudden collapse.

Steve, 61, suffered heart failure for eight minutes while out on a bike ride and was later told he had only a one percent chance of survival, despite his cycling pal and fellow Everton supporter, Dave Bush, attempting CPR.

By chance, another Evertonian and experienced first-aider, Niall Fitzgerald, was driving by and took over, before a defibrillator was rushed from the nearby Christ Church CofE Primary School, and revived Steve.

Now he wants to thank his rescuers at a forthcoming Everton home game.

Steve said: “It’s the least I can do to thank them, because without these two lads’ help, I wouldn’t be here.

“There’s a lot more to this miracle story I would just love the club to recognise what these fantastic two Blues did.”

Steve, from Ellesmere Port, has a history of heart disease and suffered two heart attacks before having a quadruple bypass more than two years ago.

As a result, he began cycling with friend Dave, twice a week, in order to improve his fitness and general health.

And it was as they commenced their ride last week when the life-saving incident unfolded.

Steve continued: "It’s a story of remarkable coincidences and without one of them happening, I don’t know what would have happened.

"We were leaving about an hour earlier than usual, and almost immediately it felt like somebody turned the lights out and everything switched off.”

Pictured: Dave (left) and Steve (right); Main image: Dave (left), Niall (right)

Dave immediately began performing CPR, when Niall, who was running an errand on a day off from work and taking an unexpected diversion due to traffic problems, had his attention caught by the unfolding drama and offered his help.

Niall, who has 20 years of first aid experience, performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on Steve and three rounds of chest compressions, before a defibrillator suddenly appeared via a female teacher from nearby Christ Church CofE Primary School, located just 50 yards from where Steve had collapsed.

Three charges from the defibrillator, administered by Niall, managed to revive Steve, bringing him back around eight minutes after his heart had stopped.

And after being stabilised by an emergency ambulance crew and taken to Countess of Chester hospital, Steve was subsequently transferred to Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital in Broadgreen, where he had previously undergone heart procedures.

Steve, now home again after having a dual implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) fitted to regulate his heartbeat, added: “Niall was told by the ambulance crew that, because I’ve had my previous bypass, there was a 1% chance of resuscitation.

“For me to survive, every single piece of that jigsaw - the time, the people, the equipment - it all had to be there in a matter of minutes - and it was.

"If I’d stayed at home, or gone out at a different time, I’d be dead, if I’d been anywhere else I’m gone and without the defibrillator being there, I’m gone. "

"Look at it any which way you want, and I have my faith, but this is a miracle."

Everton’s fan engagement team are now working with Steve to come up with a fitting reward for Dave and Niall.