WACKY TV star Timmy Mallett has heaped praise on the 12th Man fund and says it’s spreading a feeling of togetherness among “Oxford United nuts” like himself.

The entertainer, most recently known for his stint in I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, backed the fans’ initiative and said the air of confidence around the club was a boost for the whole city.

This week the 54-year-old was one of hundreds of supporters to grab one of the new Oxford Mail 12th Man bands, which sell for a suggested minimum donation of £1.

More than 1,000 are expected to have been snapped up by the end of tomorrow, just six days after they hit the shelves, and every penny from the sales will go towards helping manager Chris Wilder strengthen his squad.

Timmy said: “I think the 12th Man is lovely, the way the fans are getting involved.

“The way the flag bearer walks out with the teams before kick-off is brilliant.

“It gives everyone the feeling of taking ownership of your club, and I think the buying of Jamie Cook was very important.

“It’s lovely the way the club has responded to that initiative. Ideas like this really get the fans involved in what the club’s doing – more than just coming to the games.”

Talking about the new wristbands while modelling some trademark headgear, he added: “Any way that we can show our love of the club is a good thing.

“We’ve had the badges and now the wristbands and I’m sure there will be something else next year. Maybe it could be my furry hat. I can’t remember where I got it from, but I saw it was yellow and thought I’ve got to have that.

“It just needs Oxford United to be printed on it, really.”

Timmy, whose son Billy is a ball boy at the Kassam Stadium, travels home and away to follow the U’s.

He said his family, who live near Maidenhead, were all “Oxford United nuts”.

He said: “Whenever your team is doing well it is great for the town – it really does a lot for the general excitement in the city.

“People walk around the place saying we have a team going places.

“It’s really good for the confidence of the city.

“It’s a great feeling to have ownership of your club. There’s really nothing like it.”

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk