4th May 2017
You could sense the excitement as the children and their parents arrived at The Manor at 8:15am on Sunday morning.
See the photos here
See a short video here
The coaching session was soon underway with smiles and laughter aplenty as the children tried to emulate the skills that they might later see at the Kassam Stadium. Before we knew it we had arrived at the ground and were being led beneath the giant stand for our tour of the first team changing room.
The Oxford United players kit was pristinely laid out ready for their arrival along with everything else that a modern day footballer might need (including lots of Jaffa Cakes). Walking down the tunnel towards the luscious green football pitch, we began to feel what it would be like to walk out in front of 12,000 excited fans before making our way to Olly’s den where we met the man himself, Olly the Ox, who was very excited about the game. Then came the real highlight as the children were summoned to pitch side and each handed an Oxford United flag. Dressed in their green Manor PE kit, the children lined up to form a guard of honour to welcome the players to the field. The crowd roared as the children vigorously waved their flags in an attempt to spur on the home side.
It seems their efforts did not go to waste as Oxford soon took the lead through Curtis Nelson’s pile-driver of a finish. Then, almost instantly, another chance presented itself and this time Rob Hall was on hand to stroke it into the Shrewsbury net for 2-0. The goals dried up after that but by then long lasting memories had already been made, the children took their flags as a memento of a magnificent day.
Mr Tom Butler
PE and Sport Teacher
