Former Cliftonville coach Harry Fay reveals his battle with ‘vile, vile virus’ COVID-19

The 57-year-old said he began feeling ill last Wednesday - and told the BBC that it was just the beginning of his experience with coronavirus.

He said that after spending the night in bed, shivering, tossing and turning, he got up the next day with a “real tightness” in his chest.

He added that night he went to bed and woke up soaking in sweat: “It was like the fireman had turned the hose on me.”

The next day he described an excruciating pain in his chest.

“I was thinking it’s a heart attack. My father died of one in 1966. I was really doubled over.”

After being taken to hospital, he collapsed and then tested postitive for coronavirus.

“This could happen to anybody. Someone not as fortunate as me, not as fit as me, could be taken by this vile, vile virus.”