Young dad who noticed worrying symptom on Apple Watch tragically died after playing football

A 27-year-old dad has passed away after he spotted a worrying sign on his Apple watch.

Jack Derbyshire from Tameside, Greater Manchester, was unresponsive after taking part in a football match with friends on Monday, 18 November.

Derbyshire, who was engaged, had a three-year-old daughter.

The football fan was a huge Manchester City supporter, and a tribute will take place in his honour during the club’s Premier League match against Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.

Friends and family have asked supporters to take part in the 27^th minute of the game.

Jack Derbyshire was an avid footballer (Credit:Jack Derbyshire)

It is reported that Derbyshire found he had health issues through his Apple Watch earlier this year when it notified him he had an irregular heartbeat.

After visiting medical professionals, he found out he had atrial fibrillation, which is typically associated with a rapid and sporadic heart rate plus dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), according to the NHS.

The condition meant Derbyshire had an enlarged, weakened heart muscle and, before his death, was going through a medical review for an internal defibrillator.

His mother, Lianne, spoke to Manchester Evening News.

"They said he didn't have to give it up [football] completely,” she explained.

“But they told him to stop when he felt tired and not to push himself."

Jack Derbyshire was a huge football fan (Credit:Jack Derbyshire)

Lianne then explained how Jack had stopped playing 11-a-side Sunday football but still took part in small-sided games.

“He would play five or six minutes just to keep himself involved," Lianne said.

On Monday, following a match, Jack returned to his car while his friends watched another game at Curzon Ashton’s FC’s stadium – The Tameside Stadium.

When they returned to their cars, they found Jack collapsed, and they started CPR as emergency services were notified.

"He absolutely adored his family," Lianne added.

"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.”

A fundraiser page has surpassed the £5,000 mark at the time of writing.

You can donate here.