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Former Bristol City star Marvin Brown has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of a terminal cancer.
The 43-year-old continues to hold the record as the Robins' youngest ever player, having made his debut at the age of 16 in 1999.
Brown later enjoyed spells at Cheltenham Town, Yeovil, Chippenham, and Weston-super-Mare, before retiring from football in 2012.
Now based in Calne, Wiltshire, the former striker is suffering from cholangiocarcinoma, a cancer of the bile duct, and in the midst of receiving end-of-life care.
Brown had been diagnosed with a number of different medical conditions previously, including ulcerative colitis, rare liver disease sclerosing cholangitis, and was treated for colon cancer in 2022.
As per BBC Wiltshire, Brown was therefore not eligible for life insurance, and in the wake of news of his terminal illness, a GoFundMe page has been set up for his wife Alexis and the couple's two daughters.
Former Bristol City star Marvin Brown has been diagnosed with a rare terminal cancer (pictured in 2002)
The 43-year-old enjoyed a playing career predominantly based in the south west of England
With donations already climbing past £45,000, supporters of the family have also organised a charity football match at Bath City's Twerton Park at the start of November.
A Marvin Brown XI will take on an eleven formed from his former club Bristol City at the stadium, with all ticket sales going towards the fundraiser.
The organiser of both the match and the donations page, Georgie Bowden, shared that the family are 'completely heartbroken', and the supportive messages they have received in the wake of news breaking speaks to Brown's 'legacy'.
'This year, he started to feel quite unwell and was very tired,' Bowden added. 'In August, he was diagnosed with bile duct cancer, which is very rare'.
As well as a journeyman's career in club football, Brown also featured for England at youth level, playing for both the under-16 and under-17 sides.
