Our Ross was a beautiful boy with an infectious smile

DAD'S TRIBUTE TO TRAGIC FOOTBALLER WHO HAD SUFFERED EPILEPTIC SECURE!

- STEPHEN TOPPING

THE dad of a young footballer who tragically died over the weekend has paid tribute to his 'beautiful boy with an infectious smile!

Ross Aikenhead passed away at his family home in Sale, Trafford, on Saturday.

The 24-year-old, who played for Winsford United in Cheshire this season, had been living with epilepsy over the last 10 years.

Ross was found unresponsive on Saturday morning, and paramedics said he had suffered a seizure before he died.

Tributes were paid to Ross at local football grounds yesterday, including at former club Wythenshawe Town, where a minute's silence turned to applause before kick-off against Wythenshawe FC. John Aikenhead, who describes himself as Ross's 'proud father, says he will smile whenever he thinks of his talented son.

He told the M.E.N.: "Ross had epilepsy and this is what led to him being taken from us far too soon. The world will be a different place now for anyone who knew Ross. He was a beautiful boy with an infectious smile. I am determined not to live my life sad every day because he is not here. It is my mission to carry him in my heart and smile, not cry, when I think of him.