Chairman Sumrith 'Tiger' Thanakarnjanasuth will be supporting from afar as Oxford United's under 18 side go into the FA Youth Cup tonight when they travel to Hemel Hempstead Town in the first round.
"They are our future" he told us. "I had to fly back to Thailand on Monday but I sent a message to Leon, Chris and all of the team to say good luck because the FA Youth Cup is a massive competition and we all hope they can have a very good run.
"That is not an easy game tonight but I think fans have seen the progress we are making and the great things happening at the Academy and with our young players. So I just want to wish them good luck and make sure they know that the whole club is behind them."
The U's, currently top of their league table, have been in fine form this season with Slavi Spasov earning a three year pro contract yesterday and looking to continue the form that has made him top scorer for the under 18s, with Ryan Crooks not too far behind and Owen James always a goal threat.
The U's are without Fabio Lopes who has been out with a knee injury but has returned to training this week and coach Leon Blackmore-Such told us
"The lads have been going really well but it doesn't mean too much in games like tonight. It's cup football and Hemel are going to be looking to cause an upset. We have to be sure that we start right and show the right attitude, but I have great confidence in the boys and they have risen to every challenge so far.
"We have had some excellent cup runs over the last few seasons but if we are going to have one this year then we are going to have to play extremely well tonight to get through."
The winners are at home to Peterborough Sports or Barnet, who play on 1st November.
Tonight's Venue: Hemel Hempstead Town FC, Vauxhall Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP2 4HW
Kick-off is at 7.30pm
We will have coverage of the game on Twitter tonight @OUFCOfficlal and highlights and reaction in iFollow