On this day 14 years ago, former West Ham player Marc Vivien Foe sadly passed away after suddenly collapsing on the pitch whilst on international duty with Cameroon.
His passing shook the world of football.
Foe, a mere 28 at the time of his death, began his career in his home country with Cana Yaounde before moving to French side Lens in 1994. A successful spell with Lens, in which he played 85 times and scored 11 goals, earned him a move to West Ham five years later.
In his brief year and half spell with he Hammers, Foe helped his side lift the Intertoto Cup before moving to Lyon and later Manchester City, but it was his attitude and demeanour that stuck most with players, fans and the wider footballing community.
Following the shock incident, Harry Redknapp – who was Foe’s boss during his tenure at West Ham – described him as a “fantastic, special person”, saying “you couldn’t meet a nicer man”. Former club Lyon also paid tribute to the Cameroon international, releasing a statement on their official website that read:
“Marc-Vivien Foe will leave us the memory of a charming boy, the incarnation of the joy in life. We will keep of him his bursts of laughter. We will not forget you.”
Gone but never forgotten. RIP, Marc Vivien Foe.
