Players and officials of Wroxham Park Football Club are in mourning this week after one of their players collapsed and died just minutes into a Barnet Sunday League cup game.
Paul Andrews, who was just 20, fell to the ground only minutes into the team's match against Old Elizabethans Reserves at Oakhill Park, East Barnet, on Sunday.
He suffered an attack brought on by a rare heart condition.
"It was about five minutes into the game," said Wroxham club secretary, Matt Morrall.
"He just totally collapsed and there was no-one near him. People went over to him straight away and called the ambulance but he died instantly of a rare heart condition.
"We are all devastated because we are a close-knit club, so it's doubly hard when this happens.
"Paul had been with us for about three or four years and never missed a game, he was proud of that," Mr Morrall added.
Paul, who went to Ravenscroft School, Barnet Lane, Barnet, lived with his family in Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, and played in the same team as his elder brother Chris.
Mr Morrall said: "Paul's family just want to pass on their thanks to everybody that has supported them and all those on the sidelines who tried to save him. He died doing want he loved most, playing football with his brother."
Wroxham's game this weekend has been called off as a mark of respect and teams from the Barnet Sunday League will observe a minute's silence before this weekend's matches.
Paul's funeral is to be held next Wednesday at Enfield Crematorium at 3pm.
October 24, 2001 17:19
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