‘Thank you from the bottom of our hearts’ - family of Lydia Ross pay tribute as football remembers crash victim

Ballymena players Stephen McCullough and Donal Rocks

Lydia Ross.

Lydia and her father Paul pictured at Ballymena's match on Boxing Day. Picture: X

Football players and fans have united in tribute to a young woman killed in a Co Antrim car crash.

Lydia Ross (21) died after the accident near Aghadowey on Thursday night. Her funeral will take place tomorrow on New Year’s Day.

She was a Ballymena United supporter and attended each match with her father Paul, who described her as his “princess”.

On Saturday afternoon, fans across the Irish League joined together to remember Lydia.

Ballymena players wore t-shirts carrying her photograph in tribute before kick-off at their game at Glenavon.

Then, in the 21st minute, the game paused as players, staff and fans joined in applause.

Her father Paul posted on X, formerly Twitter: “This is absolutely amazing, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Poignantly, fans from local rivals Coleraine FC also paid tribute at their match against Loughgall.

The club posted on social media today: “The club was devastated to learn of the passing of Lydia Ross on Thursday. We kindly ask both sets of supporters to applaud in the 21st minute this afternoon to remember Lydia’s life as a tribute.”

There was also applause at the Larne v Linfield and Dungannon Swifts v Newry City matches.

Meanwhile, Lydia’s funeral details have been announced.

Her funeral service will take place tomorrow at 1pm in First Ballymoney Presbyterian Church with burial in Dunloy Presbyterian Graveyard.

The notice described Lydia as the “dearly loved daughter” of Paul and Ruth, a “much loved sister, “beloved grand-daughter” and “a very dear niece”.

It said donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Air Ambulance NI.

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