A FATHER of two collapsed and died during a Hamble football match.

The 36-year-old suffered chest pains and asked to be substituted but collapsed on the touchline.

Players and supporters of Netley Veterans and AFC Phoenix stood in horror as paramedics worked in vain to save Dave Roberts' life.

The tragedy happened during the A Cup match in Hamble which was abandoned after the incident.

Mr Roberts, from Bursledon, was a steward at Aerostructures Hamble Ltd and is not thought to have suffered from any previous health problems. He was married with two young children.

Netley Veterans manager Kevin McCann said Mr Roberts was a much-liked person whose death had hit his family and teammates very hard.

"The ambulance and paramedics arrived and they worked on him for 25 minutes before taking him away to hospital.

"It was very hard for us and a lot of the lads were very upset by it.

"He was a nice bloke, and he was one of those players who always gave 110 per cent commitment when he went out onto the pitch.

"Dave was really enjoying his football at the moment and had been looking forward to the game."

Southampton Football Association president Bob Crompton passed on his deepest sympathies and said the association has offered to host a tribute match at Netley Sports Ground.

All teams in the Drew Smith Homes Saturday League will observe a minutes silence in Mr Roberts memory this Saturday.