A group of community heroes experienced the trip of a lifetime at Wembley Stadium on Saturday when Oxford United won promotion to the Championship after a 25-year wait.
Oxford United in the Community, the football club’s official charity, selected 15 deserving participants from its countywide programmes to enjoy a VIP trip to the home of football with help from holiday camp partners Kellogg’s.
Guests and their plus ones were picked up outside the Kassam Stadium before arriving at Wembley’s players’ entrance where they were escorted into the main complex for a pre-match tour of the venue.
After posing for photos pitch side, the group had a prime view of the game where Josh Murphy’s brace secured Des Buckingham’s side’s spot in the second tier of English football for the first time this millennium.
The charity’s Social Inclusion Lead Mark Thomas, Community Coach Rama Said and Sessional Holiday Camp Coach Ben Jackson accompanied guests on the day with mascot Olly the Ox.
Mark said the day provided memories and experiences for each community hero which will last a lifetime.
“All the focus this last week has been on activity on the pitch, and we join everyone in congratulating the club on its remarkable promotion,” said Mark. “Saturday’s win at Wembley will go down in club history, and provided a day fans will remember for the rest of their lives.
“Behind the scenes throughout the season, our work has centred around providing equally memorable moments for participants on our programmes in schools, community outreach centres, on matchdays and at the training ground.
“To celebrate and recognise the achievements of participants who have overcome hardship or placed an emphasis on becoming the best version of themselves this season was really pleasing, and we thank Kellogg’s for providing this opportunity.
“Everyone enjoyed a great day out, which was completed by the result on the pitch.”
The trip was made possible thanks to Kellogg’s who donated 15 Play-Off Final experiences to the charity who matched that number so each community hero could be joined by a parent, carer or friend.
It happened only weeks after Oxford United in the Community and Kellogg’s teamed up to provide 600 free spaces on the charity’s holiday camps this summer at The Oxford Academy, Kidlington Youth FC and Easington Sports FC in Banbury.
Children inspired by United’s on-field heroics can replicate their play-off heroes ahead of the summer break, though, with the charity’s half-term camps returning to The Oxford Academy and Kidlington Youth FC next week.
Suitable for young players aged 5-13 of all abilities and experiences, the camps teach new football skills and techniques with an emphasis on teamwork, friendship building and problem-solving. All profits from each camp are reinvested back into the charity’s work to inspire happier, healthier and better-connected communities.
Mark added: “There is a real buzz around the club right now, and the squad’s success at Wembley has been felt by all ages.
“We’re looking forward to next week’s camps and encourage those yet to sign-up to do so and be part of our packed programme of activity.”
Parents and carers in Oxfordshire can claim two free holiday camp tokens per household by purchasing promotional packs between now and Monday, June 24, or visiting www.kelloggsfc.com.
Spaces on Oxford United in the Community’s May half-term camps can be booked by clicking here.