'I wish I’d had jab': England fan’s last words after catching COVID during Euros

An England fan believed to have caught coronavirus while watching a Euro 2020 match told nurses before he died he wished he’d been vaccinated.

Glenn Barratt, 51, from Cleethorpes, died in the Diana, Princes of Wales Hospital in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, on 13 July after battling the virus for three weeks.

He died with his mother by his side.

His family, who believe he contracted coronavirus while watching England play Croatia in a social club with friends, have urged others to get vaccinated.

They said his dying words to nurses were: “I wish I had.”

Mr Barratt, a volunteer carer who was 6ft 3in tall, was described as a gentle giant.

He watched England’s opening Euros match against Croatia on 13 June at the Old Clee Club with friends.

It is understood seven people tested positive for coronavirus soon after the match, including a man in his 20s who ended up in intensive care in hospital with Barratt.

The social club was subsequently closed and underwent a deep cleaning.

Barratt, who previously had his spleen removed following a motorcycle accident, did not take up the invitation to get vaccinated.

His friends are making flags in his memory to celebrate his support for Grimsby Town Football Club.

His cousin, Ken Meech, urged others to get their vaccines.

"If he had, he would still be with us today," he said.

"I'm not a doom-monger or someone who's telling you what you should do or not do. After all we are suppose to live in a free world.

"But this is one of the saddest times of my life, losing my cousin, big Glenn Barratt to COVID.”

He added: "Thankfully, his friend is on the road to recovery and had no underlying issues but had two spells on the ward.

"There are those who say that Glenn, if he had had the jabs, would still be with us today. Being around my family and friends we believe his chances were much better if he had."

Meech said his cousin was “very brave and fought to the end with COVID for three weeks and the strain on his heart was too much”.

He added: "Glenn had his worries and reasons for not having the jabs but he had no spleen and no immune system to help fight any infections but he did say to the nurses before going into an induced coma he wished he had.”

His mother, Lynn, said: "He was a larger than life character and always enjoyed his food. He was a very good cook himself."

A spokesman for Old Clee Sewell FC said: "Glenn was a top bloke. Everyone knew him and will treasure many memories of him. He was easy-going and easy to speak to."

A member of staff at the Old Clee Club said: "He was a very generous person. When he won a raffle prize he handed it straight back so more money could be raised."

A spokesman for the club said: "There were about seven positive cases.

“They had all been out together and Glenn and the other lad often went out for meals. They walked a lot together and Glenn went along to the football training.

“They weren't just all together here. They train together. The lads all mixed together.

"As soon as it was confirmed the chairman took the decision to close down within a couple of hours."

Watch: What UK government COVID-19 support is available?