Football fan died ‘unexpectedly’ just 8 days after discovering what was really causing his back pain

A FOOTBALL fan “unexpectedly” passed away just eight days after learning what he thought was back pain was something else.

Paul Kinloch, from Monifieth, suffered from renal failure over the past years which left him needing regular dialysis.

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The Dundee United fan thought the pain he was experiencing was due to sciatica.

Sciatica is when the nerve, which runs from your lower back to your feet, gets irritated or compressed.

However, he was told the discomfort was a symptom of final-stage cancer just over a week before he died.

Paul had received uplifting news days before that there was a potential match for a kidney transplant.

This gave the father-of-two and his family hope that it would give him a new lease of life, and plans were made to celebrate his 60th birthday next year.

Unfortunately, the transplant never happened and Paul later died on April 26 aged 59.

He changed the lives of many of those he supported

Phil Duncan

Two days before he died, Paul and his wife Theresa tied the knot in their garden, in front of their two kids Spencer, 29, and Sophie, 26.

The pair had been together for around 27 years but had never got round, “or felt the need” to get married, according to a family friend.

Paul had worked as a mental health worker in Dundee for 13 years.

He helped around 600 people cope with low mood, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

Despite being in constant pain, Paul continued to provide support for people and only stopped four weeks before his death due to weight loss and needing help to walk.

His colleague Callum Troup, 31, said the footie fan was a “unique character” and a “true gentleman”.

“He was very professional, immaculately dressed and had a great sense of humour,” he added.

Before working as a mental health professional, Paul used to work at Church Action for the Homeless (CATH).

For over 10 years, he managed the communities and accommodation services, day centre, employability skills workshop, community gardens and charity shop.

Phil Duncan who worked with Paul, said: “He changed the lives of many of those he supported, through his principles and dedication to helping others.”

The charitable man loved camping, walking, taking photos, motorcycling and bagpiping.

His long-awaited new bagpipes were shipped out the day he died, arriving two days later.

Paul also was an avid football fan and would go to the games with his son.

Both of his children now work in the hair industry and have won awards for their work.

His father, Alan, had also received news that he was suffering from incurable lung cancer and had moved to Barnhill to be closer to his son.

A fundraiser has been set up to help Paul’s widow and the family cope financially.

“Paul invested so much of himself in others, he would hope that we can now look after those he loved most,” a family friend added.