A FOOTBALL fan collapsed and died while playing the game he loved at Cirencester Arena.

Marcin Abram, a Polish national living in England for the past 10 years, was a few minutes into the second half of a match when he collapsed at around 9pm last Wednesday.

Cirencester Arena manager James French said the 37-year-old had come to see him for their usual pre-match chat and had appeared in good health.

“He had been through the first half and was fine, and then he just collapsed. There was no contact from any of the players. There wasn’t anyone near him,” said Mr French, who knew the man well.

The referee radioed Mr French, who rushed from his office and began CPR after he found the man was not breathing.

Three paramedics arrived within five minutes and were joined by doctors and other medical staff soon after.

Sadly, after 90 minutes trying to resuscitate Mr Abram, the paramedics pronounced him dead.

Mr Abram was living with his partner and son in Westonbirt and worked at Westonbirt School as a technician.

Although many of his family still live in Poland, his nephew was one of his team members and has, along with the rest of the team, vowed to carry on playing in the league.

Mr Abram was captain of his team and had been playing at Cirencester Arena for four years.

Mr French said: “I knew Marcin well and he was a gent on and off the pitch. Some people come in and put their money on the desk and go and play, but he would always stop and chat, just as he did on Wednesday.

“He loved his football and his team will carry on playing because that’s what he would have wanted.”

Players and staff at the centre have begun a collection to raise the £1,500 needed to have his body taken back to Poland.

To donate to the fund, call Cirencester Arena on 01285 654543.

To pay tribute to Mr Abram, email Jack Pitts at jpi@wiltsglosstandard.co.uk.