A YOUNG sportsman, who had everything to live for, has died of heart failure at 22.

Jim Ganley, whose family worshipped at St Vincent's Church, Knutsford, was found dead at his home in Newcastle on Thursday night by his two flatmates.

"He was supremely fit," said dad Bernard, who played rugby league for Oldham and Great Britain and commentated for Grandstand for many years. "He'd been studying sport sciences at Newcastle University and had just come back from a placement at an institute in Canberra, Australia, which really is the place to go."

Mr Ganley said soccer was his son's life.

"He often went to watch Manchester United and played at Holmes Chapel with friends," he said.

Jim, whose parents live in Great Budworth, had been out training on Thursday night.

"We just can't believe it," said Mr Ganley.

"He was preparing for his finals and hoped ultimately to be a professional soccer player."

His brother, Alex, 26, described him as a lively character.

"There were never enough hours in the day for him," he said.

Jim's funeral mass will be held at St Vincent's Church, Knutsford, on Friday at 1pm. He will be buried privately at Great Budworth Church.

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