‘Fabrice, the world of football is praying for you’

Wanderers supporters gathered at the Reebok Stadium while others posted messages of support on social networking sites Twitter and Facebook.

Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Association spokesman Dave Blackburn said: “As a club, our thoughts are with Fabrice at this time.” He added: “I’ve been lucky enough to meet him at BWSA meetings and he is a very nice chap.”

Lifelong Wanderers fan Simon Chadwick, aged 29, of Walkden, watched the match in a pub in Sale. He said: “In 20 years of watching football, I’ve never seen anything like it.

Another Whites fan, Chris Peacock aged 28, of Chew Moor, said: “We as Wanderers fans have gone through 18 months of hell, with Nat’s passing, then the Gary Speed tragedy and then this.”

At the Reebok, fans have placed football shirts, bouquets of flowers and even an Easter egg.

One read: “Get well soon, Muamba, from the Hewitt family” while another said “Fabrice, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep fighting. Carl, Sarah and Gabrielle.”

Former Wanderers player Jason McAteer said: “The game becomes totally irrelevant when something like this happens.”

Former Wanderers assistant manager Phil Brown said: “It brings it all home how unimportant football is.”

Among those giving messages of support on Twitter were England striker Wayne Rooney, Manchester United forward Michael Owen, Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey — a former teammate — and Sunderland defender Titus Bramble. Others sharing messages included former England forward Gary Lineker and ex Liverpool striker Stan Collymore, Another poignant Tweet came from Liverpool-born ex Wanderers player Tony Kelly, who is the club’s fans’ liaison officer.

He said: “You’ll never walk alone.

Fabrice, the world of football is praying for you