The 15-year-old was playing in a Junior Premier League (JPL) match against Fulham at the club’s training facility on Saturday (March 7), when she collapsed on the pitch.

Emergency services, including Thames Valley Police and South Central Ambulance Service, attended Oxford Sports Park and transported her to the hospital.

It was then confirmed by the club on Sunday afternoon (March 8) that Amelia had passed away the evening before.

LEAVE YOUR TRIBUTE: Book of condolence opened for Oxford United’s Amelia Aplin

The display of flowers, notes and an OUFC shirt. (Image: Amir Steve Ali)

Oxfordshire and the wider footballing community across the UK have been rocked by the news, with heartfelt tributes pouring in over the past 24 hours.

Yellow flowers, handwritten notes, Oxford United scarves, as well as a football and a goalkeeper shirt with Aplin on the back were all left at Oxford Sports Park today (Monday, March 9).

The club’s first team players and academy held a minute’s silence at the training centre to pay respects on Monday with the club stating Amelia is “forever in our hearts”.

Mourners have come from across the city and beyond to pay their respects to the young shotstopper.

Longtime Oxford community campaigner Amir Steve Ali visited the site to leave a bunch of yellow flowers, being especially moved by having a 15-year-old football-loving daughter himself.

READ MORE: Teenage Oxford United player dies after serious incident during game

Handwritten notes and flowers were left in tribute to Amelia Aplin. (Image: Amir Steve Ali)

He said: “It’s such heartbreaking news. My own daughter is a footballer and the same age as Amelia was, so it’s hit me hard.

“When I went there to lay some flowers to pay tribute and respect, it was a very emotional moment for me.

A minute’s silence held by Oxford United’s first team and academy at the club’s training centre on Monday. (Image: Oxford United)

“I can’t imagine what the girl’s parents must be going through. My thoughts are with them and her loved ones. I pray that she rest in peace.”

Oxford United’s statement said: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of 15-year-old Academy player, Amelia Aplin.

READ MORE: Oxford United confirm ‘serious incident’ at girls’ academy game

The tributes to Amelia Aplin at Oxford Sports Park. (Image: Amir Steve Ali)

“Amelia collapsed during a Girls’ Academy game against Fulham at the Club’s Training Centre in Horspath yesterday afternoon.

“The thoughts and sincere condolences from everyone at Oxford United are with Amelia’s family, friends, teammates and coaches.

“We would like to place on record our appreciation for the efforts of the medical staff at both Oxford United and Fulham Football Club, along with the emergency services.

“The club will offer support to Amelia’s family, players, coaches and staff impacted by this tragic event.

READ MORE: Tributes pour in after death of 15-year-old Oxford United player

An OUFC scarf was draped above the flowers. (Image: Amir Steve Ali)

“We would ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time.”

A statement from the JPL said: “To lose a young player with such promise at just 15 years old is a tragedy that is felt deeply across our football community.”

Martin Brock, chief executive of the JPL, added: “Amelia wasn’t just a goalkeeper, she was a leader and a bright light in our all stars programme.

“Her loss leaves a void in the JPL that words cannot adequately fill. Our thoughts are with her family, her friends and his teammates at this unspeakably difficult time.”

READ MORE: Oxford United game postponed after ‘serious incident’ at girls game

Handwritten notes were left in tribute to Amelia Aplin. (Image: Amir Steve Ali)

Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of Amelia’s passing.

“My thoughts are with her family, friends, teammates and coaches, and with everyone at Oxford United who will be devastated by this loss.

“Amelia was clearly a talented young player with a love of the game and a bright future ahead of her, and this tragic loss will be felt right across our community.”

Anneliese Dodds, Labour MP for Oxford East, added: “This is terribly sad news.

LEAVE YOUR TRIBUTE: Book of condolence opened for Oxford United’s Amelia Aplin

A football was also amongst the tributes. (Image: Amir Steve Ali)

“My thoughts are with Amelia Aplin’s family, her friends, and everyone at Oxford United at this awful time.”

Liam Walker, Conservative group leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “This is utterly devastating news.

“My thoughts are with Amelia’s family and all those impacted by this awful loss. She will forever be a yellow.”

A statement from Oxford City FC said: “Everyone associated with Oxford City FC is sending our sincere condolences to the family of Amelia Aplin and to our friends at Oxford United during this incredibly sad time.”

The 15-year-old was playing in a Junior Premier League (JPL) match against Fulham at the club’s training facility on Saturday (March 7), when she collapsed on the pitch.

Emergency services, including Thames Valley Police and South Central Ambulance Service, attended Oxford Sports Park and transported her to the hospital.

It was then confirmed by the club on Sunday afternoon (March 8) that Amelia had passed away the evening before.

READ MORE: Flowers and shirt left for Oxford United goalkeeper Amelia Aplin

Handwritten notes and flowers left in tribute at Oxford Sports Park. (Image: Amir Steve Ali)

The men’s team’s next game is against relegation rivals Blackburn Rovers in the Championship on Wednesday (March 11).

United confirmed today (Tuesday, March 10) that a minute’s silence will be held at the Kassam Stadium and that players and staff will wear black armbands in tribute.

An official statement said: “Oxford United will come together ahead of Wednesday night’s fixture against Blackburn Rovers to pay our respects following the tragic passing of Amelia Aplin, who collapsed during a Girls’ Academy game on Saturday.

“The club can confirm a minute’s silence will be observed prior to kick-off, whilst players and coaching staff will wear black armbands during the match.

LEAVE YOUR TRIBUTE: Book of condolence opened for Oxford United’s Amelia Aplin

Tributes left at Oxford United’s training facility this week. (Image: Amir Steve Ali)

“We kindly ask that all supporters take their seats early to ensure the tribute can be conducted with the quiet reflection it deserves.

“Supporters are also invited to lay tributes outside the stadium before kick-off at the Ox statue in the South Stand car park.

“The club would like to thank our supporters, our visitors from Blackburn Rovers, and the wider football family for the overwhelming messages of sympathy, support, and solidarity received over recent days.

“The thoughts of everyone at Oxford United remain with Amelia’s family, friends, and teammates.”

A previous statement issued by the club said: “The thoughts and sincere condolences from everyone at Oxford United are with Amelia’s family, friends, teammates and coaches.

“We would like to place on record our appreciation for the efforts of the medical staff at both Oxford United and Fulham Football Club, along with the emergency services.

“The club will offer support to Amelia’s family, players, coaches and staff impacted by this tragic event.

“We would ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time.”

Tributes have been pouring in from across the county including from MPs and councillors, as well as football clubs across the nation.

She was a member at High Wycombe Swimming Club which has also paid tribute.

The club published their finances last week, recording a loss of £17.5 million compared to the previous season’s £15.9 million.

The club remained within the parameters set by EFL’s Profit and Sustainability Rules whilst the club referenced the cost of competing in the Championship as the main reason for for said losses.

Football finance guru and host of The Price of Football podcast, Maguire, spoke to BBC Radio Oxford’s dedicated U’s podcast The Dub to discuss the club’s accounts.

Initial takeaways

“I’ve often described the EFL Championship as being the clown car of European football when it comes to the finances. The average losses are somewhere between 450 and 500 thousand pounds a week and the only way that you can address that is either by player sales, but there’s a limited number of players that are attracted to the Premier League and the Premier League is where the money’s coming from, or relying on owners.

“Oxford’s results, it’s scary. I’m looking at a loss of 17 million pounds and saying well actually by championship standards that’s not too bad and for a club that’s just been promoted and the previous year Oxford had lost over 15 million pounds in League One, which is very high by League One standard, but you say well at least that’s got them to the championship of things going to improve.

“The money coming in goes up, but the wage bill was up 90 per cent in the championship because you’re fishing in a different pond.”

Matt Bloomfield makes his debut as the new Oxford United head coach (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

Oxford’s standing in Profit and Sustainability Rules

“It is a bit ironic because they encourage neither profitability nor sustainability, but you’re allowed to lose £39m. Some people say well hold on, Oxford must be fairly close to that, but you exclude your infrastructure costs from the calculations.

“It looks delicate because Oxford United’s losses for the last three seasons are around 41 million, but you add back those particular issues and I think they are comfortably within the limit.

Oxford United have published new images of what the club’s proposed stadium at The Triangle could (Image: Oxford United)

“It should however be stressed that it’s a limit and not a target and I think this is where lots of fans sometimes get aggrieved and not necessarily thinking it through.

“You’re still relying upon an individual or a group of individuals to subsidise the football club to the extent of millions of pounds a year…but it doesn’t necessarily mean that if I’ve got a credit card and I aim to get to the limit.”

READ MORE: Premier League legend says Oxford United forward must ‘step up’

READ MORE: How Oxford United’s loan players have fared since January

READ MORE: Oxford United linked with Huddersfield Town forward

Impact of potential relegation to League One

“The £11.5m Oxford United generated last season from broadcast revenue, which was around about two thirds of the total, that would drop to around about two million. So, there is a big hit.

“In League One itself, the rule is effectively for every £100 you generate in revenue, you can only spend £60 on wages. Now last season Oxford were 114 per cent, so it’s tricky.

“It will involve quite a reset in terms of what’s being paid to players, and that means that fans will be frustrated because either players will not have contracts renewed or the club will be seeking alternative places for them. And unfortunately, that’s part of football.”

Oxford United owner Erick Thohir (Image: Steve Daniels)

Oxford United’s effectiveness as a brand

“It’s not a negative, I think a lot will depend upon how it is marketed. It’s an attractive city in many regards from an investor’s point of view and I’m here I’m thinking of US investors, how far is it from an airport because they want to come across at weekends.

“It’s not; it’s accessible I think from that point of view clearly the links with the university and so on is got a sort of cerebral element to it which I think could be attractive

“But it’s not going to add millions and millions to the price. It’s going to be a modest help but no more.”

Should Oxford fans be worried?

“I’d still be relatively relaxed. Lenders won’t lend unless it’s in their interest to do so. I’ve got to know Tim Williams – Oxford’s CEO – I’ve got a lot of admiration for him, he’s very professional, he’s not going to put the club at undue risk.

“You look at it from an internal point of view, I’ve got confidence in the senior management team.

“You look at it from an external point of view, lenders will have done their homework because we are talking about specialist and niche organisations and if the two parties are willing to come together then I don’t see a problem.”