Tragedy as footballer collapses and dies during Shrewsbury match

Ricky Marsh suffered a suspected heart attack during a game at the Sundorne Sports Village yesterday morning.

The Telegraph FC player, believed to be in his 30s, had been playing in a second division match against the Three Fishes in the Greenhous Shrewsbury and District Sunday Football League when he collapsed shortly before 11am.

An ambulance, air ambulance and paramedics attended the scene, but nothing could be done to save Mr Marsh.

League secretary Dave Sandles was at the game. He said: "Unfortunately the young man collapsed. We just thought he was winded."

The game and three other matches being played at the time of the incident at the sports village were abandoned.

Mr Sandles paid tribute to Mr Marsh, saying his "heart and soul were in football".

He said: "The news has left everybody totally devastated. He was a man who loved football. All the league players' thoughts are with Ricky's family. It is all so sad and sudden."

Mr Marsh had earlier posted messages on his Facebook page saying how much he was looking forward to the game, saying it was the first he had played in some time.

Last night people took to Twitter to pay tribute to the player.

Joey Parry said: "Terrible news today, RIP Ricky Marsh, horrible to see how easy and unexpected some things can be. RIP."

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