Remembering Mark Vivien Foe

Both as a human being and as one of Cameroons greatest ever defensive midfield players, Marc Vivien Foe will never be forgotten. 

As the stalwart of the Cameroon international football team, Foe was irreplaceable in his position just in front of the defence providing the protection they so often needed when they came up against world class opponents.

Sadly we will never see this talented football player ever don the jersey of Cameroon or any other football team ever again, following his passing during the 2003 Confederations Cup.

Foe's international career spanned over 10 years and what a showpiece it was having represented his country on 65 occasions and having played for clubs like West Ham United (England), Olympique Lyonnais (France) and Manchester City (England).

The inspirational midfielder made his international debut against Mexico in 1993, but it wasn't until the 1994 World Cup that he was truly recognised after playing in all three of his countries games.

He attracted attention from football clubs across Europe and eventually signed for the French team RC Lens whom he won the French Ligue 1 title with in 1998.

At this stage Foe's career was blossoming and he even received offers to play at Manchester United which he turned down initially, then unfortunately during the process of renegotiation he suffered a broken leg and all communication between himself and the club ceased. He also missed the 1998 FIFA World Cup because of his broken leg.

However, Foe showed real character and determination to bounce back and ended up signing for English Premier League side West Ham United in 1999 who paid a club record 4.2 million pounds for him.

He formed a significant part of their team, playing 38 games and scoring one goal, before moving back to France and winning the French League title again in 2001 with Olympique Lyonnais.

Once again, the Cameroonian dazzled in a World Cup, this time in 2002, and consequently was loaned out to Manchester City in the English Premiership under the legendary coach Kevin Keegan.

During his time there he became a first team regular and appeared a total of 38 times in the blue and white of City, notching up nine goals as well.

Sadly, Foe's flourishing career came to an abrupt end in the 2003 Confederations Cup when he died on the field of play during the semi-finals of the competition, due to heart complications.

In the 72nd minute of the match he collapsed in the centre circle and died 45 minutes later in the stadiums medical centre. Cameroon went on to lose 1-0 in the final but all thoughts were on the sudden departure of one of Cameroons best ever defensive midfield players.

Foe and the impact he made on people's lives will never be forgotten. The biggest tribute of all came when Manchester City, out of respect, announced that the club had retired his number 23 shirt which would never be worn by another player.