Just under 2,000 people came out on a sunny Bank Holiday Monday to thank Les Robinson for ten years service at Oxford United.
The former United right back was one of the club’s great servants and former teammates came out to join him. Goalkeepers Paul Kee and Aan Judge were joined by defenders Matt Elliott, Phil Gilchrist, Darren Purse and Anton Rogan. Further forward Stuart Massey, Les Phillips, Paul Wanless, Matt Murphy and Joey Beauchamp rolled back the years alongside the likes of Chris Allen, Mark Druce and Jamie Cook against a Liverpool side that included former United Manager Mark Wright, Alan Kennedy, Mark Walters, Paul Walsh, Jimmy Carter, Michael Thomas and John Durnin.
With Denis Smith and Malcolm Crosby in charge of the United side and Phil Neal in charge of the Liverpool stars it was a very competitive game with goals unusually at a premium for a testimonial. Wanless smashed home the winner for United.
The only dampener on the day was an injury for Gilchrist who was stretchered off in the second half; hopefully not as bad as it seemed and our best wishes to him. The spriit of the day was summed up by current United boss Karl Robinson coming along to support it, as well as legend James Constable, who paid for himself and his family to come in and attend!
Afterwards Les told us:
“What a fantastic day. I feel very proud to have had the opportunity and humbled not just by so many people coming along but also the hard work that so many people put in to organising the day. It’s something I will never forget and I want to thank the fans for their amazing support today, and during my time at the Manor.”
Liverpool legend Phil Neal added:
“We were very proud to come along and play for Les, a dedicated professional who dedicated his life to Oxford United."
Denis Smith summed it up by saying:
"Les was a fantastic professional and an absolutely top man: a pleasure to work with. We are all so happy to have played a part and supported him today."