An 81-year-old killed himself at the football ground he had spent his life supporting, a coroner's court heard yesterday.

Victor Maurice was a life-long fan of Carshalton Athletic FC and had worked part-time for the club until his death.

But the court heard how in the time preceding his death he had been finding the work difficult and felt he had become a hindrance rather than a help.

Mr Maurice, who lived in Crispin Crescent in Beddington, was found dead in the club's office after having taken a fatal dose of codeine.

In a suicide note found in the office he had written: "I'm sorry about this. I don't think it's going to work out."

Groundsman Joseph Mantell was the one who found Mr Maurice on October 23 last year.

"I went to the back and climbed over a fence and went to the office. I looked through a window and saw him sitting on a chair with his feet on another chair.

"I knocked on the window and shouted. I felt that he might be unwell but I could not call for an ambulance because I had no mobile," he said, giving evidence at the inquest.

Croydon Coroner's Court heard how Mr Maurice had some breathing difficulties, according to his doctor's surgery.

Coroner Dr Roy Palmer recorded a verdict of suicide saying: "He didn't wish to continue to live."

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