Twin daughters, an FA Cup giant-killing, and a clean sheet all in one special night…
County's Number One Joe Day has spoken about his joy at beating Middlesborough on Tuesday evening – as well as his rush to the Royal Gwent Hospital to meet his twin daughters who were born while the first half of the match was being played.
Television cameras showed Joe rushing off the pitch at the end of County's 2-0 win at Rodney Parade to be with his wife Lizzie and two new daughters Sophia and Emelia.
Speaking on Wednesday from the labour ward at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Joe and Lizzie confirmed they had both agreed that Joe should play the big FA Cup game. They hoped that the twins would be born after the match, but they are thrilled with the eventual outcome of the evening.
Joe said: “We always knew there was a chance the birth would fall during the match, but Lizzie backed me and made it an easy decision for me to play the game.
“Nothing was really happening at midday on Tuesday, but as I was driving to the game Lizzie called me to say that her waters had gone. I got to the ground when she was being taken to the labour ward but she told me to concentrate on the game.
“I didn't know the girls had been born when I ran off the pitch at the end. Until I got into my car and called Lizzie I didn't know what was going on as we'd had no contact since before the game, but Lizzie told me that there was two little girls and they were perfect and waiting for me to arrive at the hospital – and we've been here ever since.”
Lizzie, who was kept up to date with news of the football game during labour, said: “Joe turned up for the nice bit to have cuddles! We're absolutely over the moon and the midwives have been so good with me. The care here at the Royal Gwent Hospital has been amazing - with Joe not being here, they couldn't have looked after me more.”
Joe added: “All the staff at the Royal Gwent have been outstanding during this whole pregnancy right to the very end. We can't thank them enough and they made Lizzie feel very comfortable and made me feel better for not being there.
“The whole evening was a bit surreal. To beat Middlesborough 2-0, to get through to play Manchester City in the fifth round of the FA cup, playing the game, winning, two twins being born – I'm feeling very lucky and proud of Lizzie!”
Congratulations to Joe and Lizzie. Welcome to County's new youngest fans, Sophia and Emelia!