The parents of a Rangers fan who died from sudden heart failure just days after returning from Seville have paid tribute to their 'fun-loving' son who 'cared and looked out for everyone'.
Derek 'Fergie' Ferguson, a former soldier from Salcoats, North Ayrshire, died from a series of heart conditions that took hold 'out of the blue'.
The 32-year-old arrived home from watching his beloved team play in the Europa League Final on Friday, May 20 and passed away on Monday, May 23.
His 55-year-old mother, Maggie, told the Record: "I feel like my heart has been ripped out, we are all devastated.
"Every night I'm scared to go to sleep because I don't want to wake up and go through this the next day."
Derek also leaves behind his father and brother, both Raymond, aged 58 and 36 respectively, his sister-in-law Shirley, 43 and his 10-year-old niece, Charlotte.
Maggie told how Derek had called in to see his parents last Sunday and had complained of suffering from heartburn.
His mum offered to stay with him that night but he refused, before his condition took a turn for the worse just hours later.
Maggie said: "The next morning he called at 6.23am saying 'Mum I can't breathe'.
"When I got there he looked already dead; his lips were white, his arms and legs were stone cold.
"He was breathing heavily and said, 'I've got 20 minutes left in me'."
Ambulance crews raced Derek to Crosshouse Hospital near Kilmarnock where medics confirmed he 'went into cardiac arrest'.
He died a short time later with family by his side.
Post-mortem results showed he suffered from an aortic dissection; a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, body's main artery and a hemopericardium, when blood gets in the sac around the outside of the heart.
This caused cardiac tamponade, where the heart is compressed.
Maggie added: "I forget that Derek is gone for seconds, then it hits you like a tonne of bricks.
"Every day has been terrible."
Derek embarked on two tours in Afghanistan with the British Army, aged 18 then 21.
One month into his second stint the 'brave and strong' squaddie was shot in the shoulder, the brush with death sparking a change in career as he trained to be a heating engineering.
A lifelong Gers fan, Derek 'had a ball' with close friends, his dad and brother in Seville this month to watch his beloved team take on Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League final.
"Rangers was Derek's life," Maggie, a barber, added.
"But he never hated any other teams. He always had time for everyone.
"Derek kept fit and healthy but enjoyed a pint, especially at the Cross Keys Bar in nearby Stevenson.
"He was nicknamed 'partyboy' - he could find a night out anywhere.
"People have been so kind and I've heard from other soldiers and Rangers fans, full of praise for him.
"It's been comforting and overwhelming - he really was the loveliest boy."
Bereft dad, Raymond, a baker, urged other youngsters to 'get their hearts checked' to avoid the loss the Fergusons have suffered.
"Derek took pride in his health and fitness but enjoyed a pint too," he said.
"We have a history of heart problems in the family but he showed no sign of being unwell.
"If one young person reads this, gets their heart checked and it prevents something worse happened down the line, then it's been worth it."
For more information on heart conditions and the support available visit the British Herat Foundation's website.
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