Martyn Jackson, a non-league footballer, was diagnosed with myocarditis just days after playing for Ramsbottom United in October 2024, leading to a life-saving heart transplant in November that year. Just over a year later, in September 2026, he scored for England in their 5-1 victory over Spain in the Transplant World Cup final in Frankfurt, demonstrating the remarkable recovery and opportunities available to organ transplant recipients.

Jackson, who had spent time in the Manchester United academy before pursuing a non-league career, joined the England Transplant FC team in January 2026 following encouragement from his wife Lucy during his recovery. The Transplant World Cup features seven-a-side matches played over 20-minute halves with less aggressive contact than regular football, allowing transplant recipients of all types to participate; as a heart transplant recipient, Jackson typically plays in shorter 10-minute bursts compared to teammates who have had kidney transplants, which are more common in the UK.