‘Cheerful’ Everton fan dies after ‘unexpected’ hospital visit

An Everton fan who made “everyone laugh” has died after being taken to hospital with an infection.

Ben Boyle, 37, from Clitheroe, suddenly became ill at the end of October 2023 and was admitted to Manchester Royal Infirmary with what was initially a urine infection. The family of the Everton FC and St Helens R.F.C fan were told the infection had turned into sepsis and he had also caught a blood virus, which led to his kidneys failing.

Just 13 days after he was initially admitted, Ben died with his parents by his bedside on Sunday, November 5. His mum, Gillian Barnes, 63, spent the final 13 days of her son’s life by his bedside on a camp bed.

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Gillian’s husband and Ben’s stepdad, Alan Barnes, 65, said Ben’s hospital admission was “unexpected” and they thought he would be in for just three or four days.

He told The ECHO: “He went in with a urine infection and we thought he would be in for a few days, three or four days, but after three days he got sepsis and endocarditis which affected his heart. Ben’s body was retaining over eight litres of fluid which needed draining.

“His kidney started packing up so they put an emergency line into his groin but it wasn’t working. The day before he died was his mum’s birthday and we spent it in hospital at his bedside while he was having a blood transfusion. We had a Chinese.

“On the morning Ben died, his favourite singer was going to come onto the ward and sing some of his favourite songs for him, but I had a call to say Ben had taken a turn for the worst and had to cancel. When I arrived they had just brought Ben back to life and we spent some time with him before he died.

“He will be a big void in my life.”

Earlier in his life, Ben was diagnosed with the very rare Bardet Biedl Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects many parts of the body. The condition led to Ben being registered blind and having learning difficulties.

Ben had a total of three kidney transplants in his life, with his step-dad describing how they had “seven bonus years” with him. His parents described him as being “quick witted” and able to make “everybody laugh”.

As well as his love of football and rugby, Ben also enjoyed WWE and never missed an episode of Question Time.

Alan, who grew up in Newton-Le-Willows, said: “He had been through hell and back but he never moaned and was always cheerful. He was so quick witted, he would make everyone laugh.

“We would try to get him to as many matches as we could at Everton and managed two or three per season. The stewards and staff were always so lovely to him, especially when he was invited to the ground as a special guest of the club after an operation he had.

“When his brother [Andrew] died 11 years ago, the funeral directors said to us that Ben could stay there for a few hours, and they took him on a trip to McDonald’s in the hearse for a Happy Meal.

“He gave a tall member of staff a nickname… The Grim Reaper as he drove around in the hearse. That was Ben.

“Although he was 37, he was very much a child in some ways. He loved the Jungle Book and his favourite character was Baloo, we got him a bear from a trip to Florida and it went everywhere with him, we’re putting it in his coffin along with his Christmas presents.”

Ben is survived by his mum Gillian, stepdad Alan, and younger brother Jimmy.

Following Ben’s death, friends of Alan and Gillian set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for his funeral as the family were unable to get life insurance due to Ben’s kidney transplant. In just one day the page has already raised almost £800.

To donate to Ben’s GoFundMe click here.

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