The brother of former Wythenshawe Town FC player Ross Aikenhead has shared a gutwrenching tribute to his younger sibling who tragically died last week.
Aikenhead, from Sale in Trafford, was found unresponsive on Saturday, 30 March morning and paramedics said he had suffered a seizure before he passed away overnight. Ross had suffered from epilepsy for the past decade. He was just 24 years old.
Described as a “terrific footballer” and a “beautiful boy with an infectious smile” by his dad John, fellow non-league clubs and loved ones, countless football fans and Greater Mancunians have been paying their respects on social media.
None more heartbreaking, though, than the lengthy statement written by his older brother Luke, who paid a truly touching tribute to the carefree soul.
Starting off by stating that the emotions are “like nothing I have ever experienced before”, he said his thoughts have already turned to how difficult birthdays and holidays are going to be, recognising that “life will never again be normal”.
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Going on to admit that he is unsure of how he and his family will deal with the loss, he said, “This is ok. In a way, I wouldn’t want it any other way. As deep as the pain is, it makes sense. It shows me what Ross means to me and the love I have for him, and this provides much more solace”.
Continuing to write in an unbelievably eloquent manner given how raw Ross’ death still is, Aikenhead went on to reference heartwarming anecdotes that paint a perfectly human and everyday existence, joking that on his final night, he was “excited to go home and eat an Easter egg”, adding that “he left the world blissfully unaware and that is befitting”.
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He summed up his younger brother by saying that while he will “never know of the goals he will score, the nephews and nieces he will miss” and the holidays he’ll never go on, he never sweated the small stuff in life and, as his dad reassured him, he’ll go on to “be more Ross” – i.e. losing stuff, being late and putting ketchup on his Sunday dinner.
Luke signs off by confessing: “In true brotherly fashion, it was rare I told Ross I loved him, but he knew and that’s enough for me… To have three brothers with three separate friendship groups that have all come together to form one big, weird, daft group is a rare and beautiful thing”.
We won’t recite his admirably vulnerable letter but sincerely urge you to read it in full; it’s a very emotional read but serves as a great reminder to treasure those close to you every second you get.
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Ross Aikenhead was also a cousin of local boxer Pat Brown, who recently qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics, with the fellow Sale native sharing Winsford FC’s tribute on his Instagram story.
Rest in peace to a lovely young man who seems to have overwhelmingly left a positive and lasting impression on everyone he met.
Featured Images — Wythenshawe FC/Winsford United (via X)
Sport
Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Oasis’ Wonderwall on the brink of becoming UK number one for first time ever 30 years after initial release
Emily Sergeant
Could Wonderwall FINALLY become UK number one for the first time ever?
England may no longer be in the running to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being knocked out in the Semi Finals by Argentina, who claimed a 2-1 win when the two teams faced off in Atlanta on Wednesday night (15 July), but it looks like that hasn’t harmed Wonderwall’s trajectory to the top of the Official UK Charts.
Oasis’ most-streamed song of all time – and arguably their most famous – is currently sitting right at the top of Spotify’s Global charts, meaning it is in the race to become the official UK number one later today.
Despite the fact it never reached number one when it was first released back in 1996 as part of the band’s second studio album, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, the song has always had such cultural significance here in Manchester.
But after being adopted by the fans of the England men’s national football team during this World Cup, and belted out after every Three Lions victory this tournament, the song has taken on a whole new life.
Wonderwall was described at the time by the band’s lead guitarist and songwriter, Noel Gallagher, as being about ‘an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself’ – with the song’s title inspired by George Harrison’s solo album Wonderwall Music.
Sure, it has nothing to do with football (but neither did Sweet Caroline, let’s be real), but it’s an absolute anthem and one that’s become a symbol this year for the belief that football may have just been coming home after 60 years.
Win or lose, Wonderwall remains.
Unfortunately, while Wonderwall is in pole position as it stands, it’s up against some fierce footballing competition with the likes of Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds’ enduring anthem, Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home), hot on its heals.
Standing between both of them – and chart glory – is, of course, Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s record-breaking duet, Rein Me In, which looks to retain the top spot as it eyes a 17th non-consecutive week at the summit.
It’s also expected that The Beatles’ iconic 1968 hit, Hey Jude, will also find its way into the Top 40 in honour of the tournament’s star player Jude Bellingham.
So, will Wonderwall reign supreme then? Will the Gallagher brothers have another reason to celebrate tonight after the success of last year’s historic Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour? We’ll have to wait and see.
You can tune into the Official Chart Show on BBC Radio 1 from 4pm today.
Danny Jones -
5th April 2024 
