FOOTBALLER JORDAN SINNOTT’S LEGACY LIVES ON AS HIS FAMILY SHARES HIS FINAL GIFT

Six years after professional footballer Jordan Sinnott died following a violent assault, his family is continuing to keep his memory alive — this time by sharing the story of how his decision to become an organ donor helped other people.

Sinnott, who was just 25, died in January 2020 after suffering catastrophic head injuries during an attack in Retford, Nottinghamshire.

Today, his former fiancée Kelly Bossons is using his story to encourage more football fans to consider organ donation.

‘HE WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY PROUD’

Jordan was playing for Matlock Town when he was attacked during a night out with friends.

He suffered a fractured skull and severe brain injuries and later died in hospital on January 25, 2020.

His death devastated his family and shocked the football community, with tributes coming from clubs and supporters across the country.

But in the days following his death, Jordan’s family made the decision to follow his wishes and donate his organs.

Kelly later learned that the decision had helped save seven lives, while donated tissue also helped other people.

She said the moment they saw a helicopter leaving the hospital carrying an organ for someone who needed it brought home the impact of their decision.

“Choosing to donate Jordan’s organs just made sense,” Kelly said.

She explained that Jordan had confirmed his decision to be an organ donor several times during his life, making it clear to his family what he wanted.

“It also seemed a waste if we didn’t do it, knowing that he could save a life,” she said.

A LIFE CUT SHORT

Jordan had played for several clubs during his career, including Huddersfield Town, Altrincham, Bury, FC Halifax Town, Chesterfield and Alfreton Town, before joining Matlock Town.

On the night of January 24, 2020, he went out with friends in Retford.

A confrontation began inside a pub before the groups separated. The situation later escalated outside, where Jordan was punched and knocked to the ground.

CCTV footage showed Jordan and his friends walking toward Retford Market Place before the attackers followed them.

Cameron Matthews later pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Kai Denovan was convicted of manslaughter, affray and common assault, while Sean Nicholson pleaded guilty to affray.

Jordan died in hospital surrounded by his family.

His death ended a promising football career and left his fiancée facing a future neither of them had expected.

HIS DAUGHTER BECAME HIS LEGACY

Following Jordan’s funeral, Kelly discovered that she was pregnant with their first child.

Their daughter, Maisie Jordan Sinnott, was born in September 2020 — several months after her father’s death.

Kelly later described Maisie as a source of hope for the family during an unimaginable period of grief.

She also became involved with the Jordan Sinnott Foundation Trust, a charity created in his memory to support young people and grassroots sport.

The foundation continues to work to preserve Jordan’s connection with the game he loved. Its current trustees include Kelly, Jordan’s mother Melanie Tait and members of his family and close friends.

SIX YEARS LATER, HIS NAME IS STILL BEING REMEMBERED

In January 2026, Matlock Town marked the sixth anniversary of Jordan’s death.

The club remembered him as a kind person with a great sense of humour and an infectious smile, while highlighting the legacy carried on through Kelly, Maisie and the Jordan Sinnott Foundation Trust.

Now Kelly is also backing an NHS campaign linked to the 2026 World Cup, encouraging football supporters to record their organ donation decision.

For her, the message is deeply personal.

Jordan’s own decision meant that even after his death, he was able to help others.

“It’s just incredible that even after his death, he was able to give something so important to so many people,” Kelly said. “He’d have been very proud.”

Jordan Sinnott never got the chance to see how far his football career could have taken him, nor to meet the daughter he had been expecting.

But six years after his death, his family says his legacy continues — through Maisie, through the foundation bearing his name, and through the lives changed by a decision he made while he was still alive.