Jordan Sinnott, son of former Bradford City player Lee Sinnott, is fighting for his life after being assaulted on Friday night. He is on loan at Matlock Town from National League North side Alfreton Town and is believed to have suffered a fractured skull.
Sinnott came through the ranks at Huddersfield Town.
Both Huddersfield and Halifax released statements and tributes announcing Sinnott’s death on Saturday afternoon but have since been deleted after situation became clearer.
Both teams postponed their matches this afternoon because of the ‘tragic and unforeseen circumstances.’
Nottinghamshire Police moved fast to address the incorrect information on social media.
A statement from them read: “Police investigating a serious assault in Retford town centre in the early hours of this morning have moved to address misleading reports circulating on social media and in the press that 25-year old Jordan Sinnott, a footballer with Matlock Town Football Club, had passed away following the incident.
“Nottinghamshire Police first attended the Dominie Cross public house in Grove Street, Retford following a report of a group of up to eight men and women having been involved in a disturbance in the pub car park just after 11.25pm on Friday 24 January.
“Officers were later called to assist ambulance crews who were attempting to treat Mr Sinnott after he was found unconscious with a suspected fractured skull following a subsequent incident at around 2am in the town’s Market Place. He remains in hospital where he is continuing to be treated for life-threatening injuries.
“A 27-year old man sustained a suspected broken nose during the incident, while a 44-year old man received a suspected broken jaw.
“A 27-year old man who was arrested shortly after the incident remains in police custody while detectives continue their enquiries into both incidents.”
Sinnott made his first-team debut for Huddersfield in the FA Cup against Leicester back in 2013.
The midfielder joined Altrincham in 2015 and also had spells with Halifax and Chesterfield and he joined Alfreton back in 2018.
Alfreton Town called off their home game with Gateshead around 90 minutes before kick-off as they received the news.
Shortly afterwards, nearby Matlock confirmed their local derby at Mickleover Sports in the Northern Premier Division was also postponed.
Detective Inspector Justine Wilson from Nottinghamshire Police said: “I would ask that the public are mindful of the impact that comments made on social media could have on both the families of those involved and on what remains a live criminal investigation into a very serious assault.
“The majority of people go to Nottinghamshire’s town centres for a safe and enjoyable night out and incidents like this involving such serious violence are, thankfully, rare.
“However, we must be clear that these sorts of assaults have absolutely no place in our county and that such behaviour – as in this case – can have potentially life-changing consequences for all those involved.
“Our detectives are continuing their enquiries to understand how three men came to sustain their injuries. This incident happened at a very busy time and we believe there are still a number of witnesses who have still not come forward.
“I would like to appeal directly to anyone who witnessed either incident to contact either Nottinghamshire Police or Crimestoppers with any information they may have.”
In an earlier version of this story, Express Sport reported that Mr Sinnott had passed away. The story has been amended after more details about his condition emerged.
Anyone who witnessed either incident or believes they may have captured them on dashcam or mobile phone footage is asked to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 78 of 25 January 2020.
