Oxford United GM praises tributes for Amelia Aplin

The 15-year-old collapsed during a Junior Premier League fixture against Fulham 10 days ago and sadly passed away, leaving the football community shaken.

Tributes were held before and during Oxford men’s first team’s 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers last week, including a minute’s silence and a minute’s applause.

Speaking to BBC Radio Oxford, Sims said: “It’s obviously been devastating for everyone at the club. First of all, it was shock. Everyone was in shock and the staff and the players that were present on the day are finding it tough. Something like this hits the whole the club.

“It’s been a very tough ten days, but everyone has been fantastic in terms of supporting each other which I think is what we’re going to need going forward for quite a while now.

Amelia Aplin, 15, played for Oxford United’s Junior Premier League. (Image: Oxford United)

“To lose one of our players is obviously devastating, but for it to happen here at the training ground is going to cut deeper for everybody because it does bring back memories for a very long time.

“Her teammates who played here regularly with Amelia, it makes it extra tough to be here. But, in a very nice way, Amelia was playing football with her friends and hopefully in time it will become a nice memory, something somewhere that they can come and remember Amelia.”

Further tributes were held this past weekend across the community, from the Women’s Super League and EFL Championship down to grassroots level.

“The tributes and the moments of silence for Amelia across the whole community really brought everyone together.

“Wednesday night was difficult, but also really nice, just the way it was handled.

Peter Rhoades-Brown did fantastically with his speech before the minute’s silence and the 15th -minute applause kind of ended up perfectly timed.

Tributes left for Amelia Aplin outside the Kassam Stadium (Image: Submit)

READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield dedicates Oxford United win to Amelia Aplin

“It’s been fantastic to see everybody coming together to support everybody in a horrible moment.

“To have the clubs in the WSL acknowledge it as well. Amelia was a massive Watford fan as well, so I know they did something at their game last night to honour Amelia.

READ MORE: Amelia Aplin – Fans and players across the country pay tribute

“The club has been fantastic and there will be lots of support for everybody. It’s longer term as well like the teammates, the parents, it’s going to take a long time.

“People will grieve differently at different times so, for us, it’s just important that we take things slowly.

“The girls returning to training will be as and when they are ready. We will support them as much as we can.

“The staff as well, obviously they are devastated, so it’s trying to look after everybody we can.”