Ten years ago Stuart Playford almost slipped into a coma. Now he's on the verge of winning the Dr Martens eastern division title with Hastings.

George Wakeling's high-flyers can clinch promotion tomorrow if they beat Chatham and third-placed Dorchester fail to win at Dartford.

Six points from their remaining four matches means Hastings will be crowned champions.

Playford was rushed to hospital in 1992 and was diagnosed as a diabetic. His blood sugar levels were six times above average.

Playford, now 30, recovered quickly and has led an active life ever since.

He injects himself four times a day with insulin and sticks to a strict diet of fruit, pasta and other carbohydrates to control the amount of glucose in his blood.

He said: "It was frightening because I didn't know too much about it at the time. The doctors were great and they showed me some videos of people playing football. Plenty of sportsmen like Gary Mabbutt have diabetes and he played for England a few times.

"It is not an illness. As long as you don't abuse your body it is not a problem. I have a much better diet and am more healthy as a result.

"It doesn't interfere with my football. Sometimes I check my blood at half time and have a Mars Bar or some Lucozade if I need it."

It certainly hasn't affected Playford's performances on the pitch. The reliable defender has been a virtual ever-present in the push for promotion to the premier division.

Wakeling introduced a new 3-5-2 formation at the start of the season and Playford, the central defender in the rearguard, has been operating as a sweeper.

Town have won 11 of their last 12 games in an unbeaten run that has stretched their lead at the top to seven points.

Playford notched the winner in last Saturday's 2-1 win at Histon with his second goal of the campaign.

"There are no prima donnas here and the team spirit is superb," said Playford who is one of 1.4 million diabetics in the United Kingdom.

"We have some good players and George has done a great job since joining the club. Everyone respects him and there are a few older heads in the side. We have proved we are a good team week in, week out.

"We are on a fine run and we will be looking to beat Chatham. We won 2-1 there earlier in the season but they recently beat Grantham so we are not going to take it easy."

Wakeling added: "Stuart is a great club player and a good competitor. He gives a commitment.

"You need your Stuart Playfords in a team and I am pleased to have him around me. His diabetes hasn't affected his commitment but he has to be careful.

"He had an injury recently and because he is a diabetic we couldn't rush him back."

Nick Hegley (toe), Paul Ruddy (ankle) and Steve Yates (hip) are all battling to be fit for tomorrow after coming off against Histon.