A YOUNG dad collapsed and died after playing football with his pals.
Jack Derbyshire, 27, from Tameside, Greater Manchester, was found unresponsive after taking part in a six-a-side match with pals on Monday evening.
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He had left the pitches at Curzon Ashton FC’s ground The Tameside Stadium to head to his car.
But friends – who had stayed behind to watch another match – found him collapsed by his car.
The dad-of-one was engaged to be married and had a three-year-old daughter.
His devastated mum Lianne said he “loved life” and that she “still can’t quite believe” what happened.
A tribute has been planned for the Manchester City fan at Saturday’s match at the Etihad Stadium.
Jack had been diagnosed with a heart issue – atrial fibrillation – earlier this year and his Apple smart watch would flag if he had an irregular heartbeat.
He was waiting to have an internal defibrillator fitted.
Leanne said her son “absolutely loved football” and had told doctors he wanted to keep playing.
She told the Manchester Evening News: “They said he didn’t have to give it up completely.
“But they told him to stop when he felt tired and not to push himself.”
Jack had stopped playing 11-a-side on Sunday but continued playing smaller sided games, having already set up a team.
Leanne said he would often only play a few minutes “just to keep himself involved”.
