"We had Amelia in our hearts tonight. I really wanted to do the evening justice with our performance. Nothing can replace what her poor parents have suffered this weekend and what they have lost. But we wanted as a football club to pay our respects in the best possible way, respectfully off the pitch and then to try and put a performance in on the pitch that hopefully made a few people smile this evening."
"Oxford United is one special football club. I hope that tonight we represented her and her family with the dignity and respect that she deserved."
Oxford United teenager Amelia Aplin collapsed during an academy game against Fulham at the club's training centre on Saturday and tragically passed away. The club paid tribute during their Wednesday Championship match against Blackburn Rovers with a minute's silence before kick-off and applause in the 15th minute. Both teams walked out without music as a mark of respect. Oxford won 1-0, securing their third consecutive league victory. Manager Matt Bloomfield stated the club wanted to honor Aplin and her family with dignity and respect both off the pitch through the tributes and on the pitch through their performance.
Read at www.bbc.com
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