City fans paid tribute to Foe during West Ham clash to honour former star's memory 10 years after tragic death

Manchester City joined fans in paying tribute to Marc-Vivien Foe during Saturday's visit of West Ham to honour the memory of the midfielder who tragically died 10 years ago.

The club showed an image of Foe, who played for both City and the Hammers, on the electronic boards in the Etihad after 23 minutes and fans of both clubs joined in a minute's applause to pay tribute to the Blues' former No 23.
The Cameroonian collapsed during the Confederations Cup semi-final against Colombia on June 26, 2003 and passed away shortly afterwards despite attempts to resuscitate the 28-year-old.

Marc-Vivien Foe played for West Ham

Foe had a spell with Manchester City

Much loved: Foe hugs fellow new boy Paolo Di Canio at West Ham in January 1999                    

In action: Marc-Vivien Foe (left) tackles Juan Sebastian Veron in a Manchester derby 

Foe, who also had spells with French sides Lens and Lyon, died following a cardiac arrest. He had the same hereditary heart condition (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) which caused former Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba to collapse on the pitch last year.

Muamba thankfully survived but later retired from the game.

West Ham signed Foe for a club record of £4.2million in 1999 before returning to France with Lyon in 2000. He then joined City on loan in 2002 and scored nine times for the club from midfield in his sole season in Manchester. He was the last City player to score at Maine Road. City have since retired the No 23 shirt that Foe wore during his time in the North West.

The idea to applaud on the 23rd minute originated from City fans themselves, with supporters airing their views for the best way to tribute Foe on club forums.

Goalscoring touch: Foe rounds Aston Villa keeper Peter Enckelman to help City to a 3-1 win at Maine Road

Fans favourite: Foe (right) was loved by both West Ham                          

 Although it is another two months until the 10-year anniversary of Foe's death, the club and fans believe the match between his two former teams this weekend is the most appropriate time available to honour his memory.

Word of the tribute to Foe is being spread on Twitter under the hashtag #RememberFoeOn23.

One post on mcfcforum.com read: 'On the 27th April, City host West Ham United in the league. How fitting would it be to have the entire stadium applaud and celebrate Foe's life for one minute in the 23rd?

'I am here to ask you all to spread the word amongst your fellow Citizens and Hammers fans. Many of you will not be aware, but there was to be a City v Lyon/West Ham XI game but for reasons unknown it was cancelled.

'That would have been a fitting tribute, but now we as fans, together, can perform our own.'

The Marc-Vivien Foe Fund, aimed at financing research on cardiac arrest, was launched in November 2010 and was backed by the footballer's widow, Marie-Louise.


                       

                      

Distressing: Colombian Jairo Patino rushes to Foe's aid as he lies on the floor