Leeds United and Southampton put rivalries on hold on the eve of the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final for British Heart Foundation campaign Every Minute Matters - in a bid to recruit 270,000 people to learn CPR

Leeds United and Southampton stars will put their rivalries aside to come together and support the British Heart Foundation campaign Every Minute Matters

The two Championship sides will go head-to-head on xx afternoon in the Play-Off final at Wembley in a bid to become the third and final team to earn a place in the Premier League next year. 

But, ahead of the match, players from both teams - Ryan Manning and Junior Firpo - have pledged their support to the campaign that aims to recruit 270,000 people to learn CPR by May 2025.

The Sky Bet-British Heart Foundation campaign launched on May 1 has already seen some 30,000 people step up to learn the skills.

Leeds United defender Junior Firpo who learnt CPR this week at Elland Road said: 'Learning CPR has been a genuinely eye-opening experience. I had no idea how simple and easy it is to do – and it's a skill that can save someone's life.' 

He continued: 'The Leeds United fans are simply incredible, they've stepped up and supported us every step of the way this season. I'd love them to show their support in a different way by backing this campaign and learning CPR themselves.'

Meanwhile, Saints star Ryan Manning said: 'If you are ever in a situation where someone has a cardiac arrest that's when the CPR training will kick in. My advice to anyone is just go and do it, search RevivR and you can learn CPR in 15 minutes. 

'At the end of the day, CPR is a skill that you are much better off knowing than not knowing. Hopefully, you'll never have to use it but if someone near you collapsed, you'd be so glad you knew how to help.'

He continued: 'It's great that we've managed to contribute £30,000 to the campaign so far with the goals we've scored. We'll be looking to score a few more on Sunday and hopefully we can donate a few more quid to such a great cause.'

Sky Bet has so far pledged £370,000 to the BHF following a free scoring Sky Bet Play-Offs – with £10,000 donated for every goal.

Southampton manager, Russel Martin said: 'Football is defined by rivalries and come Sunday we'll be focused on the job in hand, but football is also about collaboration and coming together to take action on issues that matter to our fans and the wider community.

'Cardiac arrest doesn't discriminate, it can affect anyone at any time. It's why we're standing shoulder to shoulder with Leeds United players and staff in calling on the fans of both clubs and fans across the country to learn CPR.'

The Play-Off final is a poignant moment to call on fans to get behind the campaign, as it marks a year since Tom Lockyer first collapsed due to an undiagnosed heart condition in last year's Wembley tie.

Lockyer is also part of the campaign and is joined by a raft of fellow football stars including Graeme Souness, David Ginola and Glenn Hoddle, as part of a 'Re-starting XI' - a one-off team including Fabrice Muamba, Derby County defender Megan Tinsley and Wigan Athletic striker Charlie Wyke.

The all-star team of former and current professional players have all shared stories following their scary experiences with their own heart conditions – and now want to give the nation the skills to save lives if they ever find themselves in the middle of a medical emergency.

The 'Re-Starting 11' also features football fans who have either survived a cardiac arrest or have saved someone's life.

Souness, who was diagnosed with coronary heart disease in his 30s, said: 'When it comes to cardiac arrest every minute really does matter. If someone collapses you can't hesitate, you need to take immediate action. That's where CPR training comes in, it gives you the skills and confidence to take action when it matters most.

'The fact that so many people have already registered to learn CPR in little under a week says it all. People want to make a difference. Our job is to get the word out and turn 20,000 people into an army of over a quarter of a million lifesavers.'