The community in Oxford is mourning the loss of 15-year-old goalkeeper Amelia Aplin, who passed away after collapsing during a Girls’ Academy match in March 2026. Aplin, a talented young player for Oxford United Football Club, fell ill during a game against Fulham at the club training centre in Horspath on 7 March 2026.
The club confirmed the death the following day, sparking an outpouring of support from across the football community. Gemma Sims, the general manager of the women’s team, described the loss as devastating for everyone at the club and the wider community.
In the days following the tragedy, supporters and players came together to pay their respects. Before a match against Blackburn Rovers at Kassam Stadium on 11 March 2026, a minute’s silence was observed, and flowers were laid at the ox statue outside the ground. OxVox, the supporters’ trust, praised the exemplary response from both clubs and their fans, noting that the incident served as a reminder that people are what make a football club a community.
Aplin, who was described by the Junior Premier League as a bright light and an enormously talented player, was remembered for her courage and team spirit. To honour her memory, the club decided at their end-of-season awards on 26 April 2026 to rename their Women’s Young Player of the Year Award to the Amelia Aplin Women’s Young Player of the Year Award.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
