Tragedy as ex-Football League star who quit after twice collapsing on the pitch then became fashion designer to football stars dies
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Manchester United’s Harry Maguire have all described their grief after Morgan’s sudden death over the weekend.
The journeyman played for 17 clubs during his football career but was most active at Aldershot Town and Shrewsbury Town before falling ill while training with Plymouth Argyle.
Marvin’s cause of death has not yet been revealed. But he was on medication for life after being diagnosed with a cavernoma – a cluster of abnormal blood vessels that are usually found in the brain or spinal cord. These cause seizures, strokes and in the worst cases, premature death.
After his condition was revealed in 2018, Marvin described almost dying when he fell ill. He collapsed twice in a day while training after suffering a night seizure that caused hemorrhaging.
He said at the time, “I am on medication for the rest of my life. I have something called a cavernoma. It is something to do with blood vessels in the brain and I have nocturnal seizures”.
Describing what forced him to quit football he said, “So what happened on that day was I had a seizure in my sleep, went to training, tried to run and basically when you have seizure it drains you of all energy. Trying to run made me seizure again and it made me dehydrated which made me worse”.
It was Morgan’s fashion brand, called ‘Fresh Ego Kid’, that saw him strike up relationships with several Premier League stars, including former England captain David Beckham. Before his death, he was also raising awareness of racism in football and the importance of mental health.
Romelu Lukaku, who described it as ‘s**t news’, posted on his Instagram story, “This is some s**t newsman… RIP my brother you will be missed”.
Ashley Young wrote, “Sorry to hear the sad news this morning about Marv. I’m lost for words, to think we were just joking the other week. RIP BRO”.
West Ham midfielder Declan Rice added. “One of the most clean-hearted, happy, loving person you could meet! Totally shocked, RIP @MarvinNMorgan”.
Former Chelsea youngster Izzy Brown, now at Preston, added, “Rest in paradise @MarvinNMorgan praying for your family right now!”
Jermaine McGlashan was a young player finding his way in the game when he arrived at Aldershot and he saw Morgan as a mentor. In his emotional tribute, he wrote, “this one hit me. Took me under your wing when I first signed for Aldershot. Was a pleasure playing with you & sharing all the memories”.
“Remember sitting on the coach talking about starting a clothing line & discussing name. My bro rest up, you’ve left a legacy”.
Former Newport striker Aaron O’Connor added a statement of his own, adding: ‘RIP @MarvinNMorgan @FRESHEGOKID. This life is mad.’
Hendon, one of his former clubs, tweeted: ‘We are shocked to have learned this morning of the passing of Marvin Morgan at the age of just 38 years old.
‘Marvin joined us at the start of the 2018-19 season and had a big influence in his 7 appearances. Our thoughts are with his friends, family and loved ones today.’
Morgan, who was born in Manchester, began his footballing career with Wealdstone back in 2000.
While he eventually made it into the Football League with Aldershot, fashion became a major focus in the later years of his career and he became a huge hit with Premier League stars.
Arsenal pair Emile Smith Rowe and Ainsley Maitland-Niles as well as AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori are among the footballers to be have been seen wearing Morgan’s brand.
Morgan played for a total of 17 clubs including a host of non-league sides, and also created the fashion brand Fresh Ego Kid.
Shrewsbury tweeted: ‘Shrewsbury Town Football Club is deeply saddened to receive news that Marvin Morgan has tragically passed away aged just 38.
‘The club would like to send our most sincere condolences to his friends and family. Rest in Peace, Marvin.’
Plymouth wrote: ‘We join with the football community in expressing our shock and sadness at the passing of Marvin Morgan.
‘An infectious character, Marvin made 42 appearances for the club between 2013-15, scoring three times. Our thoughts are with his friends and family.’
Morgan’s most recent club Hornchurch, for whom he made six appearances in 2019, tweeted: ‘We are saddened to hear of the passing of former Urchin Marvin Morgan.
‘Thoughts are with his friends and family at this very sad time.’