Mum of footballer Jordan Sinnott dies after ‘long fight with cancer’

The mum of a Derbyshire footballer^[1], who died after being punched on a night out, has died after battling cancer. Melanie Tait passed away nearly four years after her son's death.

Jordan Sinnott, 25, was assaulted by three men and killed while on a night out in the Nottinghamshire town of Retford in January 2020^[2]. Melanie then became chairperson of a charitable trust set up in her son's name by his fiancée Kelly Bossons. The trust's aim is to help disadvantaged young people get into sport and Melanie even jumped out of a plane earlier this year to fundraise.

The charity has now confirmed that Melanie sadly died at the weekend after a "long fight with cancer", reports the Mirror^[3]. "It’s with the heaviest of hearts we would like to share the devastating news that yesterday after a long fight with cancer, our beautiful Melanie has gained her wings,” the Jordan Sinnott Foundation Trust^[4] posted on Facebook.

POLL: Is the government doing enough to help with the cost of living?^[5]

"We are utterly heartbroken and our family ask that privacy is respected during this difficult time. Give Jord a big cuddle from us Mel, we love you both unconditionally. Rest in Peace."

Jordan, who played for non-league Matlock Town^[6] at the time of his death, died on January 25, 2020. Kai Denovan, then 22, and Cameron Matthews, then 21, were both convicted of manslaughter for the killing, receiving 11 and eight-year prison sentences respectively. A third, Sean Nicholson, pleaded guilty to affray.

The murder trial heard Denovan had told Jordan he was a “good-looking lad” who would have “no trouble pulling girls”. Denovan said this was unlike himself, because he was “fat and ginger”. Jordan thought he was joining in the joke when he said “Yes, I can see that” - but Denovan did not take it well. Intoxicated with five pints of Stella, two pints of Strongbow, and three Southern Comfort and lemonades, Denovan punched Jordan - who left the pub.

See More: Vernon Kay to run through Derbyshire towns and villages today on second day of Children in Need challenge^[7]

The semi-pro footballer was left on the floor after multiple strikes from the pair and a fracture to the skull as a result. Jordan then died of brain damage just hours later, leaving behind his mother, fiancée, and father Lee Sinnott, former Bradford and Crystal Palace footballer. After Jordan died, Kelly found out she was pregnant and gave birth to their daughter, Maisie.

Former police detective Melanie revealed in June she had been diagnosed with cancer in August 2022 - and days after took a leap from three kilometres in the air out of a plane to raise money for her son’s cause. “Jordan had an infectious smile and ability to make people laugh,” Melanie once recalled about her son.

"He was just the kindest person who would always go above and beyond to help anybody in need. Jord’s values and love of sport are at the heart of the Jordan Sinnott Foundation Trust - helping to remove barriers that people may face to participating in sport. Sport brought so much to Jordan’s life and we hope that our charity can do the same for others who may not be as fortunate."

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References

1. ^{^} Derbyshire footballer (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
2. ^{^} assaulted by three men and killed while on a night out in the Nottinghamshire town of Retford in January 2020 (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
3. ^{^} reports the Mirror (www.mirror.co.uk)
4. ^{^} Jordan Sinnott Foundation Trust (www.js25.co.uk)
5. ^{^} POLL: Is the government doing enough to help with the cost of living? (xd.wayin.com)
6. ^{^} Matlock Town (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
7. ^{^} Vernon Kay to run through Derbyshire towns and villages today on second day of Children in Need challenge (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
8. ^{^} the main Derbyshire Live newsletter here (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)