Football / Marvin Brown
Former Bristol City player and coach Marvin Brown dies aged just 42
Tributes have been paid to Marvin Brown who has died just days before a fundraising match for him and his family is due to take place.
Marvin, who was 42, joined the Bristol City Academy at the age of eight and became the club’s youngest player aged just 16 years and 71 days in September 1999.
Described by City as a “proud Bristolian”, Marvin represented England at under-16 and under-17 and later played for clubs including Cheltenham Town, Forest Green Rovers, Yeovil Town, Weston-super-Mare and Truro City.
As well as founding Total Pro Soccer, a development centre for boys in the Bristol area, he also worked as an Academy coach at Bristol City, with the club saying that he “played a crucial role in the development of numerous Academy graduates”.
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Marvin’s older brother, Aaron, who also played for Bristol City, is among many who have been paying tribute to Marvin.
Writing on Instagram on Monday, Aaron said: “Today I said goodbye to my little brother and my best friend, Marvin.
“Your fight is finally over, and while I find some peace knowing you’re no longer in pain, my heart is shattered without you here. Life will never be the same.
“You were everything a brother could ever hope for — kind, calm, ambitious, thoughtful, and always putting others before yourself.
“You had this rare gift of making people feel seen, cared for, and loved. You made every room brighter just by being in it. We will miss your laugh and witty one liners.
“You touched so many lives and left a mark that will never fade. I’m so proud of the man you became — strong, selfless, and full of heart.
“The world is better because you were in it, and those of us lucky enough to know you will carry your light forever.
“I know you’ll always be with us, watching over and guiding us like you always have. You’ll live on in our hearts, in our stories, and in every little thing that reminds us of you.
“I’ll love you forever, until we meet again, bro.”
Marvin Brown represented England at under-16 and under-17, made 27 appearances for Bristol City between 1999 and 2004, and later played for other clubs including Forest Green Rovers, Cheltenham Town and Weston-super-Mare
A celebration and fundraising game for Marvin’s family is taking place at Twerton Park in Bath on November 9.
More than £65,000 has already been raised in a crowdfunder to support Marvin’s wife Alexis and their two daughters, aged 11 and eight, after he was diagnosed with an aggressive and rare bile duct cancer.
Writing on the crowdfunder page, Alexis said: “I can’t quite believe I am posting this and it breaks my heart to have to say that Marv passed away this morning.
“It still doesn’t feel real and we miss him so much already. We’ve had an absolutely amazing 26 years together and life won’t ever be the same without him but he blessed me with 2 amazing daughters who will remind me of him every day.
“Thank you to everyone who’s reached out, donated or kept us in your thoughts. Your love and support means the world to us.
“I loved you yesterday, I love you still, I always have, I always will.”
Marvin Brown was a devoted husband and dad – photo: Brown family
Main photo: Bristol City
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