A budding football coach died after taking a dodgy MDMA pill because it was cheaper than drinking, his family say.

Kieran Bassett, from Hastings, tragically passed away on New Year’s Day after he was thought to have consumed a laced ecstasy tablet during a pre-drinks at his friend’s house the night before.

The ‘caring and generous’ 20-year-old had an ‘exceptionally high’ temperature and ‘went downhill quickly’ before his heart stopped and an ambulance rushed him to Conquest Hospital.

He was put on life support machines – including a ventilator and dialysis machines – to try and clean his blood before his organs failed and he died.

The avid Brighton & Hove Albion fan worked as a car insurance renewals adviser and was ‘flourishing’ having ‘just found his path in life’, his grieving father told the Daily Mail.

Kieran, who had two brothers and a sister, managed the under-11 team at Hollington Hawks Youth Football Club and was planning to earn his coaching badges. He also hoped to go travelling and volunteer abroad to help build schools.

A GoFundMe page has been set up in his honour, with funds going to the football club to continue providing grassroots youth football.

His father Mark Bassett said: ‘A pill being much cheaper than alcohol is the only reason I can think of that he would ever consider taking the drug because he had so much to live for. 

Budding football coach Kieran Bassett died after taking a dodgy MDMA pill on New Year’s Eve

The avid Brighton & Hove Albion fan worked as a car insurance renewals adviser and was ‘flourishing’ having ‘just found his path in life’

The 20-year-old was described as ‘kind, caring, generous and an exceptionally lovely person’

‘Christmas is an expensive time and it’s not like it used to be, when you could go out for £20 or £30 and have a good night.

‘Now the price of bars, clubs, and £7 or £8 pints means you can easily spend £100 on a night out, whereas you can get the same buzz and same level of merriment out of a tablet.

‘The trouble is that people make these tablets as cheap as possible and God only knows what they are putting in them.

‘The police have said that it’s highly likely there was something wrong with the pill. It was tainted or laced with something else.’

The father rushed to the hospital after receiving an emergency phone call shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day.

Mr Bassett said: ‘One of the most haunting images that I don’t think I will ever get out of my mind was of him laying there, his life ebbing away from him, and his nose just running with blood and mopping it.

‘Me and his mum were just mopping away the blood. It was horrific.’

He urged young people to stop their friends from taking the drug.

The father said: ‘It’s just not worth it. You don’t know what you’re putting in your body. And if your friends are thinking of taking it, don’t be afraid to tell them to stop and to tell their parents too.

‘You may lose a friend but you may stop someone losing their life.’

Mr Bassett described his son as ‘kind, caring, generous and an exceptionally lovely person’.

He continued: ‘He played youth football and was aiming towards earning his coaching badges and becoming a third-generation coach – following his grandad and father.

‘He had a real passion for teaching the younger kids. He was never bothered about their ability, he just wanted to help them improve.

His father believes he took the ecstasy tablet because it was cheaper than drinking

The 20-year-old hoped to go travelling and volunteer abroad to help build schools

‘He was a big Brighton & Hove Albion fan and one of his ambitions was to become a season ticket holder to go with his dad and grandad.’

Hollington Hawks Youth Football Club said: ‘Kieran was more than just a coach — they were a mentor, a role model, and a constant source of encouragement for our children. 

‘The time, energy, and love they gave to the U-11s team will never be forgotten, and their impact will live on in every player they helped shape.

‘Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Kieran’s family, friends, players, and everyone whose life they touched during this incredibly difficult time.’ 

Doctors were unable to stabilise Kieran’s blood pressure in hospital and said there was a high likelihood he would have suffered brain damage if he survived.

Kieran, who lived with his mother and brother in Hastings, had been working at Hastings Direct Insurance for 18 months and had just received a mini promotion which would see him mentoring new staff.

‘He was really excited about that,’ his dad added.

‘Our ambition as a family now moving forward is to create a legacy for Kieran, and to use his story as a catalyst to try and deter other kids from doing drugs.’

Donate to Kieran’s GoFundMe here