AN Ipswich Town fan collapsed in the north stand during the weekend and died, a police spokeswoman said today.

John Howard

IPSWICH Town Football Club officials spoke of their sadness last night after a fan collapsed and died during the weekend's game against Charlton.

The supporter, from the Sudbury area and believed to be in his 70s, is thought to have suffered from a heart attack at about 3.30pm in the upper tier of the North Stand near a bar area.

Ambulance staff who were at the game were unable to save the man, who the EADT understands had suffered from ill health.

His death has saddened club officials who say they believe he was a long time supporter of the club., and said their thoughts are now with his family.

Terry Baxter, a spokesman for the football club, said: “We are terribly sad to hear the news of this incident.

“We understand that the gentleman was a long standing Ipswich Town fan, and our thoughts are very much with his family and friends at this time.”

A Suffolk Constabulary spokeswoman said: “We received reports that there had been a sudden death, that an elderly gentleman in the North Stand had suffered a suspected cardiac arrest.

“Officers and the ambulance service attended and his next of kin have now been made aware.”

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “We were asked to go and assist colleagues there, we had staff based at the match, but no-one was conveyed to hospital.”