Former Huddersfield Town player, who was 25, died after being assaulted on a night out

This article is more than 6 months old

This article is more than 6 months old

Hundreds of people turned out for the funeral of a footballer who died after being assaulted while on a night out.

The funeral for Jordan Sinnott took place at Bradford City’s Valley Parade ground on Wednesday. The Bradford-born former Huddersfield Town and Chesterfield midfielder, who was 25, died following an assault in Retford, Nottinghamshire, in January.

An appeal led by Jordan’s older brother, Tom Sinnott, called Shirts for Jordan encouraged teams to donate shirts with “Sinnott 25” printed on them. At the time of writing the Shirts for Jordan Twitter page has accumulated 13,500 followers.

More than 800 football shirts from around the world were donated for the funeral as a result of the appeal. The donated shirts were hung from the ceiling in celebration of the footballer’s life and career. Sinnott’s family plans to donate the shirts to Sport Relief.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Jordan Sinnott (in blue) in action for Chesterfield. Photograph: Aaron Lupton/Prosports/Rex/Shutterstock

Hundreds of friends and family paid their respects, including Huddersfield Town’s manager, Mark Lillis, the ex-Huddersfield Town player and current ambassador Andy Booth and the club’s chairman, Phil Hodgkinson. A book of condolences was available for guests to sign.

Sinnott, whose father, Lee, starred for Bradford City and Huddersfield Town, was playing on loan for non-league Matlock Town before his death.

On 2 March at Nottingham crown court, Sean Nicholson, 22, of Beechways, Retford, pleaded guilty to affray in connection with Sinnott’s death. He is on bail and will be sentenced at a later date.

Cameron Matthews and Kai Donovan have been charged with manslaughter, affray and common assault and were not required to enter pleas. They were remanded in custody to appear at the same court on 22 May.

Sinnott’s family said of the late footballer: “He was a true gentleman. He absolutely loved his football and from an early age we knew he was determined and driven to succeed. Nothing will ever be the same again without Jordan in our lives. It will leave a void that can never be filled.”