Jord’s Story

Matlock Town’s community, Derbyshire’s community, the non-league community, English football’s community and world football’s community stood alongside one another in unison to grieve a player’s untimely death. Jordan Sinnott was only 25 years old before he passed away. Everyone associated with Matlock Town was deeply, deeply upset at the cruel loss of not just a talented player but more importantly a dazzling personality off the pitch that had clearly won him many friends. Jordan Sinnott was a much loved person and it was incredibly hard to accept for everyone that knew him and had played with him that he was gone. The players at Matlock Town were hit extremely hard by the terrible news.

Matlock Town’s next game ended up taking place on February 1st when the Gladiators played Hyde United in the league at the Proctor Cars Stadium. It was an extremely emotional and strange game to attend for everyone there. Football was, of course, secondary on this day. The result did not matter. It was all about making Jordan Sinnott proud and the club did just that. The match day was a great example of just how successful the ‘Shirts For Jordan’ campaign had been (which was spearheaded by Jordan’s brother) and it was reassuring that even through an awful situation such as this one, humanity at its best will always shine through. Football clubs all over the world were invited to print their own ‘Sinnott 25’ strips and to send them to Matlock Town where these would then be sent off to charity. The appeal was an enormous success and went way beyond initial expectations. Not only did hundreds of football clubs from the United Kingdom take part, the appeal went global and the club received ‘Sinnott 25’ strips from the likes of Roma, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund plus other sports got involved too including cricket and basketball.

It was revealed in April that Jordan had saved seven lives (all between the ages of 20 to 50) after his organs were donated following his death. Soldiers and other burns victims also benefitted from skin grafts that were created following his donation.

In a career tragically cut short, Jordan played for Huddersfield Town, Altrincham, Bury, FC Halifax Town, Chesterfield and Alfreton Town before his career ended with the Gladiators. While his time at Matlock Town was brief, Jordan Sinnott will always be remembered by everyone associated with the club.

Jordan was also known as Jord by his family, Sin by his friends.

From the moment Jord could walk he wanted to kick a football and it became his world. Everyday he was either playing football, watching football, or talking about football.

Right from an early age Jord’s dream was to become a professional footballer and through sheer determination his dream came true.

Jord was a cheeky, funny, loving young man with a smile and laugh that would light up any room. You only had to meet him once and you felt you had known him all your life.

Jord had time for those who needed him and anyone who knew and spent time with him would say “They were a better person for knowing him.” He loved giving a hug and telling the special people in his life how much he loved them. Jord was so easy to love in return.

Losing Jord so young was heartbreaking for us all and what better way to pay tribute to an exceptional young man by creating his charity in his name. Keeping Jord’s legacy alive by doing what Jord would have wanted; ‘Giving to others and helping people less fortunate.’

His memory will live on, not only through his charity but the gift he gave to Kelly, his fiancée, their beautiful daughter Maisie Jordan Sinnott.

Forever 25
Always in our heart xxx