Appeal launched to help family of Rotherham United fan, 42, who died after watching match with his sons

Andrew Wilson-Storey was in the away end with his two young sons when his club were playing Accrington Stanley on February 22 when he suddenly collapsed.

The former coal miner from Maltby, near Rotherham, suffered from asthma, although the cause of his death has not been confirmed.

Medics treated him in the stands before taking him to hospital in Blackburn, but he never regained consciousness. Andrew's family chose to donate his organs.

His friend and fellow member of the Maltby Millers supporters' club Mick Mills was watching the match with Andrew when the tragedy happened and has now set up a Gofundme page to raise £4,000 towards funeral costs.

Andrew leaves behind his devastated parents Paul and Sharon, two sons and a daughter.

"We'd just scored in the last minute when it happened. I don't want to have to witness something like that ever again - it was overwhelming. The club's medical staff were straight over, then the paramedics came and the air ambulance landed and two senior doctors worked on him. They did everything they could, they gave him every single chance and they fought till the end. He was still alive when he was taken to hospital.

"We've been friends for years, we grew up in the same village and played football against each other. In the last few years when Rotherham have had some success, I've organised buses to away matches and he was always there with his two lads.

"He was a fun-loving guy who loved his football. He worshipped Rotherham United. He'd always sign text messages off with 'Rotherham till I die' - which seems so ironic now.

"His family are absolutely devastated, so I have set up the fundraising page to try and take some of the mental burden away from them. We need to pay to bring his body back from Blackburn."

Andrew's friends are also hoping to establish a memorial trophy match in his name to be contested by local junior teams.

Rotherham United have given season tickets to Andrew's sons and have offered support to his family. The club's manager Paul Warne broke down during an emotional TV interview while discussing Andrew's death.

"Rotherham are that sort of club, we're a family. Accrington Stanley were brilliant too, I can't speak highly enough of them. It's a football thing."

Andrew had recently been working away as a contractor on rail projects in the south-east.

"I just want him to get the send-off that he deserves. Nobody should go to a football match with their kids and never come home," added Mick.

To donate to the appeal, click here.