THERE BY THE GRACE OF GOD

August 29th....it was part of a truly grim 10 days for football, which culminated in the death of the Zambian international footballer, Chaswe Nsofwa, in 2007 aged 28. He was at a "training match",  in Maccabi Be'er Sheva, Israel, at their stadium at Vasermil, when he suffered a heart attack and was taken to the local medical centre, but was found dead on arrival. He was part of the Zambian African Nations' Cup squad in 2002. He also represented his country at the 1999 FIFA Nations Youth Cup in Nigeria. 

Chaswe, shown here, was buried on 6 September, in his home country of Zambia, at Lusaka's Old Leopards Hill cemetery. His funeral was attended by former president Frederick Chiluba, as well as several members of the Zambian national squad. As a mark of respect, the Hapoel Be'er Sheva club retired the number six shirt in his honour.

This shocking event came in the aftermath of Walsall's 16 year old Anton Reid dying on the pitch.  Hundreds of family and friends of the tragic footballer who collapsed and died during a training session turned out to honour him at a charity match. Ex-Walsall FC youth player, Anton Reid’s former team-mates, at his junior team, Streetly AFC, got together at Rushall Olympic FC, Dales Lane, Walsall, to take part in the second annual memorial game. 

Despite the poor weather, more than 500 people turned out to support the event and helped raise around £2,000 for the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity. The teams were led out by the former Blue Coat CE School pupil’s parents Sonia Bailey and Dave Reid. Anton collapsed and died after taking a ball on his chest during a routine practice session at the University of Aston Training pitch in Birmingham Rod, Walsall, aged just 16.

An inquest revealed that Anton had a heart condition that only came to light after his death, and a verdict of natural causes was recorded.Tony Oakes, Anton’s former coach at Streetly, who organised the charity game, said: “It was a very emotional day for everyone involved. After the teams were led out by Anton’s parents, flowers were laid in the centre circle and we had a minute’s silence in his memory. There were mixed emotions. Obviously we are all sad but, at the same time, Anton would have wanted us to enjoy and celebrate his life."

“Anton’s name must live on and the football game is the most appropriate and fitting tribute to him. I haven’t counted all the money yet but it will be around £2,000 and this gives me a target to beat next year. The charity is a very worthy cause and you don’t realise how many people are affected by such problems. The charity is grateful for what we have raised and if it helps save the life of just one person then it will have been worth it.” 

Anton joined West Bromwich Albion from Streetly but left to join Walsall a year later, at the age of 13, where he was looked on as a great prospect.