A popular deputy headteacher who co-wrote cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed's autobiography has died during a football match.

Father-of-two Andy Sibson, 51, collapsed with a suspected heart attack shortly into the second half of a match in Maresfield, near Uckfield, on Saturday afternoon.

Eye-witnesses said there had been no one around Mr Sibson, the deputy head of The Cavendish School in Eldon Road, Eastbourne, at the time when he fell down.

Teammates from the Old Varndeanians veterans side said he had complained about a pain in his leg shortly before.

A 999 call was made and first aiders tried to resuscitate Mr Sibson. A land ambulance, the Sussex emergency services helicopter and the Sussex Air Ambulance were all dispatched to the pitch at Maresfield Recreation Ground in Maresfield High Street.

Paramedics arrived ten minutes later and spent around around 30 minutes trying to revive Mr Sibson before he was declared dead.

Yesterday his brother-in-law John Lambert said the family had been inundated with tributes.

Mr Sibson had worked at Cavendish for 25 years, starting as head of PE in 1983. He became deputy headteacher last year.

He also had a successful career as a writer and was part of a team responsible for several PE textbooks, including The World Of Sport Examined, which has had the most sales of any in the UK.

He worked as a ghost writer alongside Sussex cricketer Ahmed on his 2006 autobiography Twenty20Vision:My Life And Inspiration.

Mr Lambert said: "He was a very intelligent man and very funny to be around. He had a big effect on a lot of people in Eastbourne. He taught a lot of people and was held in high regard. He will be badly missed."

Cavendish headteacher Kenny Fitzpatrick said the love, prayers and sympathies of everyone at the school were with Mr Sibson's wife Ruth and children Amy and Luke, both in their 20s.

Mr Fitzpatrick said: "He was a personal friend, an outstanding deputy headteacher and a dedicated professional. Throughout his time at Cavendish School Andy worked tirelessly on behalf of the Cavendish community and was much loved and respected."

He said Mr Sibson had been taking a lead role in moving the school forward and was passionate about learning and improving opportunities for all the young people in Eastbourne.

Mr Sibson was originally from Leicester and had been a committed sportsman throughout his life. He was a talented long jumper and represented English Colleges before going on to play football and other sports for a variety of teams.

He played volleyball in the national league and was the co-founder of the Eastbourne Volleyball Club in the 80s.

Many of the young players he had taught at Cavendish, some who became national champions, went on to play for the club.

Eastbourne Volleyball Club treasurer Heidi Jaquet, 26, was among them. She said: "He was the best teacher in the world. He was such a motivation. My whole education, my degree, everything, is all really because of him.

"I'm so shocked about what has happened. We all are. It will take a long time for it to sink in."