A ROSSENDALE footballer whose father played for Arsenal and Everton has died in an horrific road accident.

Bacup Borough midfielder Jason Ross, 22, was killed in the accident in Collyhurst, Manchester.

Police said he was leaning out of the passenger window of a Ford Fiesta when his head struck the rear window of a stationary Peugeot 205.

Jason suffered serious head injuries and died in the ambulance on the way to North Manchester General Hospital.

Police said the driver of the Fiesta, Christian Elliot, 22, of Cleveleys Avenue, Rochdale, had been charged with drink-driving and would appear before Manchester City Magistrates on September 28.

Andrew Ankers, 24, who was in the Peugeot at the time of the accident in Rochdale Road, escaped unhurt.

Jason's father, Trevor, who made 57 appearances for Arsenal between 1974 and 1977 and who later played 120 games for Everton, lives in the Ashton-Under- Lyne area.

Bacup Borough manager Brent Peters said his players had been devastated by the tragedy.

But they have insisted that tonight's home match against Daisy Hill should still go ahead. The players will observe a minute's silence before the game kicks off at 7.45pm.

Mr Peters said: "The players are distraught. We are one big family at Bacup Borough and we feel like we have lost a member of that family. "Jason was the life and soul of the dressing room. I got a phone call last night and I could not believe it. I rang all my players to tell them and they were just devastated.

"He played in our match against Alsager on Saturday and had played five games so far this season. He was a real competitor and was so dedicated to the game.

"He was due to attend a brother's wedding this Saturday, but knew we would be short of players. He had told me he would be willing to miss the wedding if I needed him to play."

He had looked at a flat in Lumb last week and was thinking of moving to Rossendale."

Jason lived in Turf Hill Road, Rochdale, with his grandmother. Jason spent a year as a professional with Bury and joined Bacup Borough, who play in the First North Western Trains League Second Division, last season.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said officers were investigating the incident.

She said Mr Elliot had been charged with driving with excess alcohol. He was also due to be interviewed about the circumstances surrounding the accident.

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