THERE was little that could distract Oxford United supporter Les Denny away from his beloved team.

The dedicated football fan held a season ticket for 62 consecutive years from the age of 25 until his death, aged 87, on Saturday, January 26.

His club recognised the Littlemore grandfather-of-two, right, by featuring his obituary in its match programme on Saturday, February 9.

Daughter Michele Denny said: “He was just so proud of Oxford United.

“He always talked about Oxford United’s finest hour in 1986 when they won the Milk Cup.”

Mr Denny, who was christened Leslie but always known to friends and family as Les or ‘the councillor’, was born on November 25, 1925, and grew up in Evesham, Worcestershire.

At just 17 years old he was called up from his job as an apprentice gas fitter to join The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry during the Second World War.

He rose to the rank of corporal and served across Europe and in Burma before being demobbed after the war.

Michele’s husband Dominic Casey, 53, said: “As a young man of 18, fighting in the infantry across Europe for a year, he would have seen things that many of us cannot imagine. Like most who were there, he chose never to speak about them, but I suspect that he served his country, like he lived his life, with dignity, humour and compassion.”

Mr Denny settled with his wife Eve Denny, nee Farnell, in Oxford after the war.

He was a mechanical engineer for the Pressed Steel company in Cowley, which became BMW, from 1953 until his retirement in 1989.

He served on Littlemore Parish Council for 10 years, joining to minimise the impact of the Kassam Stadium on the local community when it was being built.

Mr Denny was on the parks and recreation committee and personally planted about 30 trees on Littlemore roundabout in Cowley Road.

A knowledgeable gardener and vegetable grower, he was also secretary of the Minchery Farm Allotment Association for more than 40 years.

He cared for his wife for the last 10 years, who is battling dementia.

Daughter Mrs Denny, of Lewes, East Sussex, said: “He just loved supporting the local community.

“He was an ordinary man who was caring. If he could get to football, everything was alright.”

Oxford United spokesman Chris Williams said: “Leslie was a great supporter of Oxford United and will be sadly missed by all at the club and our thoughts are with his family.

“Sixty-two years is a fantastic effort and he will be missed.”

Mark Sennett, chairman of fans’ group OxVox, said: “For all those who knew him I am sure his passion for the club will be greatly missed.

“The club is very important to the community and we need more people like him.”

Mr Denny is survived by wife Eve, 87, daughters Michele Denny, 51, and Marnee Denny, 54, and two grandchildren Keely, 25, and Nil, 21.

  • A cremation service took place on Tuesday, February 12, at Oxford Crematorium.