Muamba weeps during emotional return at the Reebok to thank Bolton and Spurs fans for support following his cardiac arrest

He emerged from the tunnel somewhat falteringly at first, the walking miracle. Fabrice Muamba, the man who was clinically dead for more than an hour, back on his feet and back in front of his fans.

Many of them had seen him fall  46 days earlier, and witnessed the desperate attempts to restart his heart on the pitch at White Hart Lane.

They had chanted his name, more in desperation than hope; supporters of Bolton and Tottenham joining together in a moment that meant so much more than a game of football.

This was his chance to say thank you.

Welcome back: Fabrice Muamba takes to the pitch before the match between Bolton and Tottenham

Muamba walked out at 7.53, seven minutes before kick-off.

'Welcome back to the Bolton family our very own Fabrice Muamba,' boomed a voice over the public address as the fans rose as one again. A similar message was flashed on a big screen inside the stadium against a photo of a beaming Muamba.

Down on the pitch he was still smiling, but only briefly, and then it gave way to tears. The 24-year-old raised a hand to acknowledge all four sides of the Reebok Stadium before lowering it to wipe his eyes. Up in the stands his fiancee Shauna cried as well.

Then Muamba hugged Bolton’s mascot Lofty the Lion and took one last round of applause before making way for his team-mates.

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