ONE lifelong Oxford United fan was putting a brave face on it after missing the historic win over Swindon when his mother-in-law put her foot down.

Steve Sharpe, 35, centre, has been a U’s season ticket holder for 20 years and has travelled to 85 grounds around the country to see them play.

But he was devastated to find out the long-awaited showdown with Swindon fell on his wedding day.

He said: “When the draw came out, I was gutted. The phone calls and emails were flooding in and my usher was in tears.”

But when football bosses moved the match to Sunday to try to avoid trouble at the ground, he bought a ticket and was hoping to make the match.

That was until his new mother-in-law Diane Sell had her say.

Mr Sharpe, who grew up in Oxford and now lives in Basingstoke, said: “My mother-in-law kicked off.

“She just did not think it was appropriate. She said my first day of married life should be with my wife, and not in (Swindon’s) Stratton Bank.”

To make it worse, United notched their first win at the County Ground in 38 years.

Mr Sharpe married football-hating fiancée Lucy Sell, 35, in Moreton-in-the-Marsh on Saturday, but did manage to name tables at the reception after Oxford United heroes.

His ticket went to his brother and best man Simon Sharpe, 33, who went to the match with usher Simon Cant.

Fifteen people were arrested in Swindon in connection with the match.

Only one of them was an away fan, according to Thames Valley Police, who praised United fans for their behaviour during the 2-1 victory against Swindon.

Pc Paul Phillips, who worked with Wiltshire Police co-ordinating the handling of the match, said: "I was impressed with how the Oxford fans conducted themselves.”