Liverpool Football Club’s Jurgen Klopp sends video message to family of Darren Smyth offering support

Darren, from north Belfast died on April 12 peacefully at the NI Hospice. He was only 36-years-old.

Darren had been a lifelong supporter of Liverpool .

In a video message, which Darren’s wife Jenna shared publicly, on social media, Jurgen Klopp said: “Jenna I am just sending you a message here. I know you are having an incredibly tough time here with the loss of Darren.

“I just want you to know from myself and everyone associated with Liverpool that we all thought highly of him.

“He was a huge Liverpool fan as you know and we are all sorry for the loss for yourself, DJ and Alex.

“He is a big loss and obviously we are all thinking of you.

“And the famous saying is for the supporters so you’ll never walk alone. Know you are never alone Jenna, we are all behind you and we wish we could all be with you at this incredibly tough time.

“Hopefully I will get to see you and the kids one day.”

Prior to his funeral on Friday an appeal was extended on social media for anyone intending to attend Darren’s funeral, or stand along the route, to “please wear either a Liverpool top or something red as this was Darren’s wishes”.

Earlier this week news of the 36-year-old’s death was posted on social media page ‘Darren Smyth’s bucket list’ which was started as a personal blog to record his health after he received a devastating cancer diagnosis.

The post, added on Monday says: “Its with a heavy heart that i have to inform you all that our warrior darren has passed away peacefully at 1.55am 12/4/21 with his loving an devoted wife jenna by his side.

“As you can imagine the heartache an pain that is left behind is unbearable.

“Darrens journey has come to the end an the family our completely devastated.

“Darren was a true inspiration to many who knew him personally and through this page.

“He touched so many hearts on his hard journey that he fought with courage, bravery and never once gave up.

“As you all know even on his worst days he still tried an succeeded to help others as that’s just who he was.

“Darren was a true gentleman with a heart of gold.

“He is going to be missed by so many.

“On behalf of his wife Jenna, his 2 boys dj and Alexander, his daddy Terry and family & friends who he loved with his every breath and fought so hard to stay here for them.

“We thank you for following his journey right to the end.

“No more suffering darren your safe in the arms of the angels now. Rest easy d until we meet again. YNWA ❤ #hHusband#daddy #son #brother #friend love always Laura xx”

In recent times Darren wrote a bucket list of 30 items which included marrying his now wife Jenna, meeting Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard and travelling in a helicopter. He managed to tick off most of the items before his death on Monday.

A short video featuring Darren, recorded a few weeks before his death, shows him in hospital asking people to ‘help each other’.

“I wanted to do so much good in this world but the problem is my body fails me,” he says,

“I wish it was just a matter of saying I am going to do it, and doing it.

“That is what it is like for so many people.

“But for me it is not. If I have a choice I will do everything I can to help people, it is about living for my boys, my family and my friends.

“From now on I will try to make a difference.

“I have done for many years but I could do more.

“People need to take care of each other. That is what matters, helping people and cherishing every single moment you have on this earth.

“Every single moment on this earth matters. Cherish every moment of happiness you have because you never know when times are going to change. Trust me when I say it is from the heart”.

A tribute from north Belfast DUP Councillor Dale Pankhurst expresses sympathy at the loss.

On social media he writes: “Deeply saddened to hear that Darren Smyth passed away during the night after a long battle with cancer.

“is grit, determination and fighting spirit was nothing short of inspirational.

“I’ve never seen and probably never will see such a strong and courageous fighter as I did in Darren.”

Cllr Pankhurst adds that he will always “remember Darren for his role in my introduction into the Orange Order back in January 2011 where he conducted my initiation and Orange Degree”.

“Those nights are special for every Orangeman and I’m privileged to have had Darren not only share that special night with me but also act as the lecturer who initiated me into the Order where I remain to this very day.”

Other tributes to Mr Smyth include - “Such sad news. Myself & CitySightseeing Belfast were privileged to help stroke a Belfast city tour off Darrens bucket list in Sept 19. Our thoughts are with his wife Jenna and his young children. RIP.”

-Sooo sorry to read of Darren’s passing, I followed his updates and admired his strength and courage, and how he coped with his illness, thinking of all his family, Darren you were a inspiration, may u R I P ”

-So very sorry to hear this. Darren DJ’ed for me on my 30th birthday & I had the pleasure of meeting him & Jenna through mutual friends at Slimming World a few times. I loved reading his updates and seeing his pictures on this page. He was a true fighter with strength & determination like no other.

Thinking about his family at this sad time ”

“Saddened to hear of Darren’s passing, he brought true inspiration to so many through his illness and fought so hard to stay with his beautiful family. I followed his journey and it showed how much he loved life and his family. His time was short but he lived it to the full gone to his resting place free from pain. Watch over your loved ones sleep easy Darren. ”

A GoFundMe for Mr Smyth started some years ago explained that he had been “diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoma carcinoid tumors which is terminal cancer”.

“He 1st got his diagnosis 4 years ago and since then the tumours have multiplied and got more aggressive at present he has tumours in his lungs, spine, ribs & adrenal glands.

“Over the last few months they have had set back after set back darren has recently lost 1 of his eyes due to a tumour and is now awaiting scans to see if its went to his brain but hes still fighting each day as it comes.”

At the time the post explained that Darren, his wife Jenna and two young sons wanted to started making memories through a bucket list og places he would love to visit, but needed help paying for travel insurance due to his health complications.

“Some of the places Darren wishes to visit are the northern lights, Paris, Amsterdam, London, Edinburgh & the Liverpool & Everton derby on 1st dec 2018.”

According to another post on Funeraltimes.com a Mr Smyth who was 36-years-old died on April 12 peacefully at the NI Hospica.

“Much loved husband of Jenna and devoted and loving father of D.J and Alexander,” adds the post.

“Sadly the funeral will take place in line with Government guidelines. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu to N.I Hospice c/o Scott Otley Funeral Director”.

It adds: “Will be sadly missed by his loving wife and sons. A smile for all, a heart of Gold, one of the best this world could hold, never selfish, always kind, these are the memories you leave behind.”

This is what was on ‘Darren Smyth’s Bucket List’

1. Get Married✔️

2. Meet Steven Gerrard!!!✔️

3. Visit Marmaris one more time 4/5/7 days.

4. Visit Paris, site see, euro Disney & stay over.

5. Watch LFC vs Man Utd. ✔️

6. Watch LFC vs Everton.✔️

7. Visit London, site see, west end theatre & stay over. ✔️

8. Rally Car experience. ✔️

9. Picnic in Botanic Gardens.✔️

10. Visit Dublin zoo. ✔️

11. Visit Dublin,site see & stay over. ✔️

12. Belfast city bus tour. ✔️

13. See Alexander start Secondary School and see Dj Finish, ATLEAST!

14. Stay at Galgorm Hotel & Spa for weekend (Jenna & me). ✔️

15. Helicopter ride. ✔️

16. Walk to the top off Cavehill. ✔️

17. Visit M&Ds with kids.

18. Drive from one end of Ireland to the other, stopping over night once or twice along the way.

19. Go watch an Xfactor semi-final or final live in the studio.

20. Visit Scotland’s Edinburgh, do underground ghost town tour. Visit castle & whiskey store (with Dad), stay over night in a nice hotel!

21. Meet Sir David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst & the rest of the cast, aka Delboy, Rodney & cast of OFAH.

22. Watch a match at Windsor Park. ✔️✔️

23. Take kids to Legoland & stay over.

24. Get one more Tattoo. ✔️

25. Watch a Ulster Rugby Match.✔️

26. Watch a Belfast Giants game. ✔️

27. Break a world record, while raising funds for charity via sponsorship.

28. Do a waxing/shaving fundraiser.✔️

29. Write letters or do videos for family members & close friends.

30. See the northern lights.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

message from our editor: Thank you for reading this article. We’re more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

Please consider purchasing a copy of the paper. You can also support trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription of the News Letter.