Swansea City make pledge to roll out defibrillators across grassroots football after death of grassroots player Mitchell Joseph in Swansea

Mitchell Joseph collapsed and died last weekend while playing football for St Joseph’s AFC against Maltsters Sports.

Mitchell, 33, tragically passed away recently while playing for his Swansea Senior League side St Josephs after suffering a heart attack during a game at Mynydd Newydd Playing Fields.

Friends and team-mates will be carrying out a bucket collection around the stadium on Monday to raise funds for his family and fiancée Laura Davies.

To support the appeal, the Swans have pledged to match the amount raised and use the funds to purchase defibrillators, which deliver a dose of electric current to the heart, for use at the main playing fields in the Swansea League.

The club has also vowed to spread the defibrillator programme throughout all the local football leagues in the area.

It means the new rolling programme will also see the Swans commit to supplying one new defibrillator for every goal Carlos Carvalhal’s side score between now and the end of the season.

The club, who will also assist in providing defibrillator training, will then review the defibrillator programme during the summer and assess the future needs of the local leagues.

“Everyone at Swansea City was saddened to hear of Mitchell’s death,” explained a Swans spokesperson.

“There is a very close football community in Swansea and the loss has been deeply felt by so many people.

“The club not only wanted to help his friends and team-mates raise funds for his family and fiancée, but also to do something that may help save a life in the future.

“We felt the defibrillator programme was the best place to start in memory of Mitchell.’’

With the help of kitman Michael Eames, the Swans have also donated 13 signed shirts to the first division Swansea League clubs, plus Mitchell’s former club Ragged School, to auction off for the fund.

The club would not only like to pass on its condolences to Mitchell’s family and friends at this sad time, but urge supporters to give generously on Monday night.

Donate to Mitchells fund HERE https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mitchysfund