Young dad notices worrying symptom on Apple Watch - then drops dead after football match

Jack Derbyshire, 27, from Tameside, was discovered unresponsive following a football match he played with friends on Monday evening - after learning of a heart condition earlier in the year

A heartbroken mum has shared a poignant tribute to her son who tragically collapsed and died after playing football.

Jack Derbyshire, 27, from Tameside, Greater Manchester, was discovered unresponsive following a six-a-side match with friends on Monday evening. Jack - who was set to get married - is survived by his three-year-old daughter. His grief-stricken mother Lianne spoke of how he 'loved life' and expressed her disbelief over her sudden loss.

A wave of donations has poured in for a fundraiser set up for his bereaved family. And in honour of the avid Manchester City supporter, a tribute will take place at Saturday's game at the Etihad Stadium. Earlier this year, Jack learned of a heart condition when his Apple smartwatch indicated an irregular heartbeat.

Medical check-ups subsequently revealed that he suffered from atrial fibrillation – a typically rapid and sporadic heart rate – coupled with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), leading to an enlarged and weakened heart muscle. He was undergoing medical review for an internal defibrillator implant, as disclosed by his mother, reports the Manchester Evening News.

An enthusiastic football fan, Jack was adamant with his doctors about not wanting to forgo playing football. Lianne 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."

Lianne recalled how her son had given up playing 11-a-side Sunday morning football but remained active by participating in a six-a-side league he founded. She explained: "He would play five or six minutes just to keep himself involved."

After one such game on Monday, Jack went back to his car while his mates watched another match at Curzon Ashton FC's Tameside Stadium. Tragically, when they returned, they discovered Jack collapsed and despite their efforts to perform CPR and emergency services rushing to the scene, he could not be saved. Jack was an assistant manager at McDonald's in Denton, working alongside his brother Tom, 20. He lived in Stalybridge with his fiancée Charlotte and their three year old daughter Lyla.

The devoted City supporter, he held a season ticket with Tom and his father Peter, 52. Lianne added, "He absolutely adored his family," and "He doted on his daughter. He just loved life. He was a big music fan, big Oasis fan, big fan of The K's. He loved going to gigs. He absolutely loved football and he had a season ticket at City."

"It was his life and he lived it to the full. I think that's why his heart condition affected him so much. He had written his Christmas list and at the top he put 'a working heart'. It was heartbreaking really. We've had so many lovely messages from people who worked with him or knew him and who have all had such lovely things to say about him. We can't thank people enough."

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign has already gathered over £4,000 to support Jack's fiancée Charlotte after his sudden passing, set up by her sister Shannon. The page shares the distressing news: "My sister received the most heartbreaking and devastating news of her life on 18/11," it reads.

"Her fiancée and the love of her life Jack passed away after playing a game of football. Jack had been under the cardiologist for a heart condition and he collapsed after the game and sadly he didn't survive.

"It has left a massive hole in everyone's lives especially Charlotte and Jack's little girl Lyla who has lost her daddy. Charlotte is now grieving the loss of Jack and should be able to take as much time as needed before she feels ready enough to go back to work without having to worry about finances," it adds.