TRIBUTES have been flooding on social media following the death of a Bradford dad who was a vaccine sceptic until he caught Covid-19. 

Matthew Keenan's story was shared widely earlier this month after Dr Leanne Cheyne, a respiratory consultant at Bradford Royal Infirmary, shared a photo of him hooked up to a full face oxygen mask in his hospital bed.

Dr Cheyne said: “Matthew has agreed for me to share his story. 34, footie coach and dad.

“Self-confessed vaccine sceptic until he caught Covid, if he could turn back time he would.

“Our sickest patients are unvaccinated and under 40. Matthew is fighting for his life… save yours.”

Dr Cheyne was targeted by Twitter trolls after her post and deleted her potentially lifesaving tweet after receiving personal abuse.

Matthew, from Bierley, shared an image of his positive Covid-19 lateral flow test on his Facebook page on July 2.

He was a member of Sunday League side Station Hotel and said in the post it was “just his luck” he would test positive ahead of England’s quarter-final match against Ukraine, and that he felt “poorly, and I mean poorly”, as well as including the hashtag #CovidIsReal.

He said that he was suffering from a fever, feeling “freezing and red hot” and also that he had major back pain from the virus, and said it was “the most poorly I have ever been and I feel like it’s getting worse”.

Just a few days later he was watching the football on his phone in hospital after his condition had deteriorated further, but said he was “overwhelmed” with the number of messages of support he had received and he was in “the right place to be fixed”.

The Bradford Sunday Alliance Football League wrote on Facebook this morning: "Wow a shock this morning, waking up to the devastating news that Matthew Keenan has passed away, such a top lad gone too soon. Respected by everyone. My heart goes out to all his family at this sad time RIP big man and sleep tight."

Toller FC added: "Tragic news to wake up to. The guy was a gem. Always smiling and put his heart and soul into Station FC on a Sunday. Devastated for his partner and children. Life is way too short.

"Don’t hold any grudges it’s not expensive to be kind. Hold onto your family and loved ones whilst you can. RIP lad."

Bradford rap group Bad Boy Chiller Crew also shared a picture of Mr Keenan on their social media pages and wrote: "Can't believe we're writing this but Bradford has lost a absolute legend."

They said he would always be remembered. 

Many other social media tributes have also been left following the sad news.