JORDAN SINNOTT WAS 25, ENGAGED AND ABOUT TO BECOME A FATHER — THEN A NIGHT OUT CHANGED EVERYTHING

RETFORD, England — Jordan Sinnott was 25 years old, engaged to the woman he loved and unknowingly just months away from becoming a father.

He was also a professional footballer who had spent years building a career across England’s lower leagues.

Then, on a January night in 2020, a night out with friends ended with an assault that would take his life.

Jordan died in hospital after suffering catastrophic head injuries. His death left behind a grieving fiancée, a family devastated by loss and a daughter who would never have the chance to meet her father.

A NIGHT OUT THAT TURNED VIOLENT

On January 25, 2020, Sinnott was in Retford, Nottinghamshire, with two friends.

Inside a pub in Churchgate, he encountered three men — Kai Denovan, Cameron Matthews and Sean Nicholson.

A disagreement developed between the groups. During the confrontation, Denovan punched Sinnott twice.

Sinnott and his friends then left the pub and headed toward Retford’s Market Place.

But the confrontation did not end there.

Denovan and Matthews followed. When the groups encountered each other again, Denovan punched Sinnott once more before Matthews attacked him.

Sinnott was knocked to the ground and suffered a fractured skull and severe brain injuries.

Emergency services were called, and he was taken to Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.

But doctors could not save him.

The 25-year-old died later that day.

A FOOTBALLER WITH A FUTURE AHEAD OF HIM

Away from the violence that ended his life, Sinnott was known as a talented footballer.

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

Shortly before his death, he had scored his first senior hat-trick for Matlock Town.

His career was still developing, and his family and friends believed he had much more ahead of him.

But there was another future Jordan never got to see.

He was engaged to Kelly Bossons.

And after his funeral, Kelly discovered that she was pregnant.

HIS DAUGHTER WAS BORN WITHOUT EVER MEETING HIM

Kelly was 12 weeks pregnant when Jordan died, although the couple had not known they were expecting a child.

After Jordan’s funeral, Kelly learned that she was carrying his baby.

At the sentencing hearing, her victim-impact statement described the grief of losing her partner and knowing that their child would never meet him.

Their daughter was born in September 2020.

For Kelly, the tragedy meant becoming a mother while simultaneously grieving the man she had planned to build a life with.

THREE MEN WERE SENTENCED

The criminal case ended several months after Jordan’s death.

Cameron Matthews pleaded guilty to manslaughter, admitting his role in the fatal assault.

Kai Denovan was found guilty of manslaughter, common assault and affray after a trial.

Sean Nicholson pleaded guilty to affray.

In July 2020, Denovan was sentenced to 11 years in prison, while Matthews received eight years and three months. Nicholson was sentenced to 14 months for affray.

The court heard that Jordan had been attacked after what began as a disagreement during a night out.

A FUNERAL SURROUNDED BY FOOTBALL

Jordan’s death brought together football clubs and supporters from across the country.

After his death, an appeal was launched asking football clubs to send shirts bearing Jordan’s name to his family.

Hundreds of shirts arrived from clubs and supporters.

They became a powerful symbol of how widely Jordan had been remembered within the football community.

His funeral was later held at Bradford City’s stadium, with hundreds of shirts displayed in his honor.

A LIFE REMEMBERED

Jordan’s story was ultimately about far more than the night he died.

He was a son, brother, fiancé and footballer.

He was a young man preparing for marriage and unknowingly preparing to become a father.

His daughter was born into a world where she would have to learn about her father through photographs, stories and the memories of those who loved him.

At the sentencing hearing, Kelly said the grief of losing Jordan was “immeasurable.”

She also spoke of the life they had expected to build together.

Jordan Sinnott was only 25.

His career, his relationship and his future as a father were all still unfolding.

Then one night in Retford changed everything.