A FOOTBALL club are in mourning today after the mother of one of their players died after collapsing while watching him play.Felixstowe and Walton United's game was abandoned after 20 minutes when the mother of their defender, Chris Rogowski, collapsed while cheering him on against Thetford Town on Saturday.

A FOOTBALL club are in mourning today after the mother of one of their players died after collapsing while watching him play.

Felixstowe and Walton United's game was abandoned after 20 minutes when the mother of their defender, Chris Rogowski, collapsed while cheering him on against Thetford Town on Saturday.

A linesman gave first aid until rapid response paramedics and an ambulance arrived at Thetford Town's Mumford Road ground, but the 50-year-old died while on the way to West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds.

Felixstowe and Walton United officials extended their sympathies last night to the Rogowski family, who were said to be in a state of shock.

Club chairman Tony Barnes, said: "The club is distraught about what happened and we will do everything we can to help our player."

Felixstowe and Walton United manager, Paul Adams, added: "The incident was very distressing and we are all very saddened by her death. She was a lovely lady and had attended every one of her son's matches since he joined the first team.

"It was not long after the start of the match that she collapsed and it all happened so quickly. We tried to revive her, but couldn't, so we called the paramedics, who took her to hospital shortly after arriving. It was not until last night that I found out she had actually died."

The incident was witnessed by Mrs Rogowski's footballer son, Chris, a 21-year-old student, and her husband, who was standing next to her when she collapsed.

"We tried to restrain her son from getting too close to where she was laying because it was obviously upsetting for him," said Mr Adams.

"Unfortunately, it is very difficult to know what the club can do to help him at the moment, except do everything we can to support him."

Saturday's Ridgeons League First Division match was abandoned as a result of the incident and Felixstowe and Walton United have also cancelled tomorrow's game against Harwich and Parkeston as a mark of respect for the player and his family.

A statement from the club said: "Saturday's game at Thetford Town was abandoned after 20 minutes due to the sudden collapse of a supporter from Felixstowe. Our thoughts are with the family.

"We thank Thetford Town and the match officials for their prompt response, sympathy and understanding following this tragic incident.

"The first team game at Harwich and Parkeston on Tuesday night has been postponed as a mark of respect, for which we thank Harwich and Parkeston."

A statement from Thetford Town added: "Thetford Town's players and officials would like to send their condolences to the family concerned on this tragic event."

The exact cause of Mrs Rogowski's death is not unknown. Her family were too upset to comment yesterday.