Whitchurch football club shocked as much-loved fan, 22, dies in car crash
A football fan has died after the car he was travelling in crashed during the early hours of Sunday.
Dedicated Whitchurch Alport FC supporter Aaron Millington, 22, was among three people taken to hospital following the collision shortly before at 3.30am, on the A525 at Horseman’s Green, in the county borough of Wrexham.
In a statement, the club said: “It is with huge shock that we announce the sudden and tragic death of supporter Aaron Millington."
Two other people in the vehicle suffered serious injuries.
The club has postponed tomorrow's North West Counties Football League clash with Skelmersdale United as a mark of respect.
Its statement, released on the club's website, said match days would not be the same without him.
"'Azza' was more than just a supporter at Yockings Park, he was the embodiment of the spirit and togetherness that makes WAFC unique," it said.
"If there was something happening at Whitchurch Alport you could guarantee Aaron would be involved whether that was a match day, work at the ground, or even a fundraising event. He embraced Alport and we embraced him as one of our own."
The tribute also described the lengths Mr Millington had gone to in supporting the club – both in attending games, and getting a tattoo of the club crest.
It said: "At the beginning of the 2017-2018 season, a bank holiday game at AFC Blackpool brought glorious weather and a healthy following from the town. As usual, Aaron was there but the circumstances were very unusual. Thinking he had no chance of a lift to the game; he had taken it upon himself to pay for train travel from Whitchurch to Blackpool at a cost of £80!
'His smile and personality will shine down on us all'
"We immediately gave him a free season ticket to Yockings Park and he was emotional accepting it. At the end of last season, alongside his good friend Tommy Knowles, both were presented with signed Alport jerseys from the club as a thank you for their commitment at both home and away matches.
"Probably the lasting and most recent memory where Aaron showed his love for his local football club was back in the summer when he promised if the team won the Huddersfield Cup he would have his first tattoo in the form of the Whitchurch Alport crest on his chest! We went on to win the cup and Aaron stuck to his word by having the tattoo done. A crazy thing to do for a club at our level but that was Aaron and why we loved him so much at Yockings.
"Despite the team’s recent poor form, he was the first to clap the lads off and show his support to everyone just as he always did, no matter what the result or where we played in the country. It’s an understatement to say he will be missed; it simply will not be the same place up at Yockings Park or on the away coach without him present. His smile and personality will shine down on us all."
Mr Millington was one of three people taken to hospital following a crash shortly before 3.30am on Sunday, January 5, at the A525, at Horseman's Green, Wrexham.
Two other people suffered serious injuries in the crash.
Sergeant Nikki Grimes-Williams of North Wales Police’s Roads Policing Unit said: “The investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding this collision and we are keen to hear from anyone who may have been travelling on the A525 between Whitchurch and Horseman’s Green at around 3am.
“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a silver BMW X3 travelling along this stretch of road, and in particular those who may have any dash cam footage.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Roads Policing Unit on 101 quoting reference Y001980.
Alternatively, the control room can be contacted via webchat on north-wales.police.uk/contact/chat-support.aspx
