Oxford United pay tribute to teenage goalkeeper
15 year old academy player Amelia Aplin passed away during a match over the weekend
During an emotional night of football, Oxford United paid tribute to Amelia Aplin, a 15-year-old academy player, who tragically passed away during a girls' game on Saturday.
Before their match against Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday (11 March), the local community and visitors gathered at the Kassam Stadium to honour Amelia.
The emotional ceremony included a minute’s silence prior to kick-off, with Amelia’s teammates and family joining the players on the pitch.
Flowers were laid outside the stadium, including a tribute from Blackburn Rovers captain Todd Cantwell.
As the game began, Oxford United made a strong start, commemorating Amelia through their play and with an additional minute of applause in the 15th minute, pausing the match to allow players and fans to unite in memory.
Oxford United’s Jamie Donley scored the only goal of the night, securing a victory that was dedicated to Amelia.
Earlier this week team captain Cameron Branaghan told Greatest Hits Radio the whole club is struggling to come to terms with the loss of Amelia:
"My heart is just broken for her parents. It puts everything into perspective.
"The club have offered all the support they can to her teammates and her family and that will be ongoing. We want them to be friends of our club forever.
"Amelia will live in our hearts forever."