McCormick will be OK, says Oxford United boss Wilder

9:30am Saturday 2nd February 2013 in Sport Photograph of the Author By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

Luke McCormick will make his debut for Oxford United at Southend today Luke McCormick will make his debut for Oxford United at Southend today

CHRIS Wilder is confident Luke McCormick will cope on his first Football League appearance in almost five years as he starts for Oxford United this afternoon.

The 29-year-old goalkeeper signed just before the transfer deadline on Thursday night and will come straight into the XI at Southend United.

Max Crocombe, who made his senior debut in the 1-1 draw with Burton Albion on Tuesday, will drop to the bench, but the teenager has the consolation of a new contract.

McCormick has not played in the Football League since May 2008, just before the drink-driving crash which killed two children.

After three and a half years in prison he was released last summer, but has only played a handful of games since joining Blue Square Bet South side Truro City in November.

Despite his relative lack of match action, Wilder believes McCormick’s greater experience will be valuable against a strong Southend side.

He said: “Luke will start – playing away from home at Southend is different to playing at home to Burton.

“We’ve done extensive homework on him, in terms of speaking to players he’s played with recently and people in that area.

“We know he’s ready and can handle the game, no problem.”

It means Crocombe will not have a chance to build on his encouraging debut, but the 19-year-old has been boosted by news of a new deal.

The goalkeeper is one of 16 United first-team players out of contract this summer, but Wilder is keen to keep him when the club begin contract talks next month.

He said: “Max has done great and he’ll be offered a new contract – he’s part of our plans going forward.”

Michael Duberry will be out for up to a month with the hamstring injury he picked up against Burton, so Michael Raynes will come into the back four today.

U’s are unlikely to risk Lewis Montrose, whose hamstring strain has not yet healed, but Peter Leven has recovered from the illness which forced him off in midweek.

Liam Davis could be among the substitutes after a lay-off with a hamstring problem.

Southend, who are seventh in the npower League Two table, signed two players on loan, who are in line to make their debuts.

Ben Reeves, who has played three games in the Premier League this season, signed from Southampton and can play in either defence or midfield.

Northern Ireland Under 21 striker Carolan Lavery has also joined, moving from Sheffield Wednesday.

Oxford Utd: from McCormick, Batt, Raynes, Wright, O'Brien, Potter, Chapman, Leven, Rigg, Constable, Craddock, Richards, Parker, Heslop, Montrose, Davis, Worley, Capaldi, Crocombe.

Southend Utd: from Smith, Clohessy, Cresswell, Phillips, Barker, Hurst, Spillane, Timlin, Leonard, Tomlin, Corr, Bentley, Straker, Laird, Prosser, Harris, Eastwood, Lavery, Assombalonga, Reeves.

  • In yesterday’s Oxford Mail the game was incorrectly described as all-ticket and supporters can buy tickets from Roots Hall today.

Comments (11)

11:11am Sat 2 Feb 13

Manor Born says...

I was going to go to Southend, but not now. I will not be a party to this monstrous signing.
I was going to go to Southend, but not now. I will not be a party to this monstrous signing. Manor Born

4:32pm Sat 2 Feb 13

BenkiuGuasu says...

Given the choice between a promising 19 year keeper with one senior appearance, and a keeper who only left the championship for non-footballing reasons....no choice really is it.

We need a player like him for our promotion push, and he needs a club like Oxford to believe in him and support him so he can rebuild both his career and his life.

Of course there will be fans, many of them that don't like this signing - but (from reading the comments on other threads) I don't think they are a majority. I fully understand their reasons for feeling that way, and can't blame them.

I, like most I think, will support McCormick and the team 100%. Provided he is genuinely repentant, and will strive to be an all-round good person from here on in, he deserves a second chance.
Given the choice between a promising 19 year keeper with one senior appearance, and a keeper who only left the championship for non-footballing reasons....no choice really is it. We need a player like him for our promotion push, and he needs a club like Oxford to believe in him and support him so he can rebuild both his career and his life. Of course there will be fans, many of them that don't like this signing - but (from reading the comments on other threads) I don't think they are a majority. I fully understand their reasons for feeling that way, and can't blame them. I, like most I think, will support McCormick and the team 100%. Provided he is genuinely repentant, and will strive to be an all-round good person from here on in, he deserves a second chance. BenkiuGuasu

6:01pm Sat 2 Feb 13

The Manager says...

Absorb the news and move on the club have signed the player he has to live with what he did for a club that does not have a lot of money it was a good option to get an experienced goalkeeper costing very little money. I'm not happy about it but support the YELLOWS staying away does not help anyone least of all a club that has lack of funds . If we need anything new here then look to the manager as he has taken us as far as he can.
Absorb the news and move on the club have signed the player he has to live with what he did for a club that does not have a lot of money it was a good option to get an experienced goalkeeper costing very little money. I'm not happy about it but support the YELLOWS staying away does not help anyone least of all a club that has lack of funds . If we need anything new here then look to the manager as he has taken us as far as he can. The Manager

10:55pm Sat 2 Feb 13

Malcy69 says...

ABOUT TIME WILDER WENT, HE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR OXFORD UNITED, HE SHOULD GO NOW AND MAKE M. DUBERRY PLAYER MANAGER
ABOUT TIME WILDER WENT, HE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR OXFORD UNITED, HE SHOULD GO NOW AND MAKE M. DUBERRY PLAYER MANAGER Malcy69

11:31pm Sat 2 Feb 13

BartSimpson_ox says...

Oxford sign a killer, FACT.
Oxford sign a killer, FACT. BartSimpson_ox

12:11am Sun 3 Feb 13

BenkiuGuasu says...

BartSimpson_ox wrote:
Oxford sign a killer, FACT.
Now ya see...for me a killer is someone who deliberately goes out to at least seriously injure someone....

I think rather than critisise the club for seemingly having low morals, we should be praising them for giving people a second chance.
[quote][p][bold]BartSimpson_ox[/bold] wrote: Oxford sign a killer, FACT.[/p][/quote]Now ya see...for me a killer is someone who deliberately goes out to at least seriously injure someone.... I think rather than critisise the club for seemingly having low morals, we should be praising them for giving people a second chance. BenkiuGuasu

1:20am Sun 3 Feb 13

Mick Heavey says...

However you want to moralise this stupendously idiotic signing, you cannot get away from the fact that this moron killed 2 innocent human beings... why the hell should he get a second chance?... the dead children don't get one !!!... This moronic & desperately greedy Oxford United Management will go down in history as putting profit before human life, & for that reason alone I hope supporters will vote with their feet & their wallets - until this decision is reversed & the Management publically apologise for their inhuman greed ... N.B. If you remain an Oxford United player, employee or supporter, while this 'taker of human life' is still employed by the Club, this is telling the world you have no respect for the sanctity of human life & that you are as disgustingly sub-human as he is... Hopefully, the normal human beings amongst you will stay away until the greedy Management of this Club realise that Human Life comes BEFORE profit... I note that Swindon already hold the moral hgh ground here - at least they had the guts to say NO !!!
However you want to moralise this stupendously idiotic signing, you cannot get away from the fact that this moron killed 2 innocent human beings... why the hell should he get a second chance?... the dead children don't get one !!!... This moronic & desperately greedy Oxford United Management will go down in history as putting profit before human life, & for that reason alone I hope supporters will vote with their feet & their wallets - until this decision is reversed & the Management publically apologise for their inhuman greed ... N.B. If you remain an Oxford United player, employee or supporter, while this 'taker of human life' is still employed by the Club, this is telling the world you have no respect for the sanctity of human life & that you are as disgustingly sub-human as he is... Hopefully, the normal human beings amongst you will stay away until the greedy Management of this Club realise that Human Life comes BEFORE profit... I note that Swindon already hold the moral hgh ground here - at least they had the guts to say NO !!! Mick Heavey

2:18am Sun 3 Feb 13

Manor Born says...

BenkiuGuasu wrote:
BartSimpson_ox wrote:
Oxford sign a killer, FACT.
Now ya see...for me a killer is someone who deliberately goes out to at least seriously injure someone....

I think rather than critisise the club for seemingly having low morals, we should be praising them for giving people a second chance.
No, what you describe is a murderer.

McCormick isn't a murderer, but only just - by the letter of the law.

Fact: he got into his car knowing he was unfit and unsafe to drive.
Fact: having caused an accident, he then drove off without a care for the people in the car he hit.
Fact: He left two children dead and their father in a critical condition and to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
Fact: he was more concerned about the damage he had done to his career than the destruction he had caused.

Although he didn't get into his car thinking I am going to go kill someone, he got into his car knowing he was over the limit & fully aware that his actions could cause harm. But he figured he would be ok and get away with it. The moment he got behind the wheel he was committing a criminal act. He didn't care. All he cared about was himself.
[quote][p][bold]BenkiuGuasu[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]BartSimpson_ox[/bold] wrote: Oxford sign a killer, FACT.[/p][/quote]Now ya see...for me a killer is someone who deliberately goes out to at least seriously injure someone.... I think rather than critisise the club for seemingly having low morals, we should be praising them for giving people a second chance.[/p][/quote]No, what you describe is a murderer. McCormick isn't a murderer, but only just - by the letter of the law. Fact: he got into his car knowing he was unfit and unsafe to drive. Fact: having caused an accident, he then drove off without a care for the people in the car he hit. Fact: He left two children dead and their father in a critical condition and to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Fact: he was more concerned about the damage he had done to his career than the destruction he had caused. Although he didn't get into his car thinking I am going to go kill someone, he got into his car knowing he was over the limit & fully aware that his actions could cause harm. But he figured he would be ok and get away with it. The moment he got behind the wheel he was committing a criminal act. He didn't care. All he cared about was himself. Manor Born

6:47am Sun 3 Feb 13

BartSimpson_ox says...

For those who say give him a second chance, if it was your kids he killed, would you be saying this. NO of course not, he is a killer and should not be any where near a football field. If he wants to work again, then do something useful and work in a hospital or old people's home. He won't do that because he is selfish and it won't pay him enough money, as once again he is only thinking of himself. Oxford Utd ate the pits and everyone should now boycott them.
For those who say give him a second chance, if it was your kids he killed, would you be saying this. NO of course not, he is a killer and should not be any where near a football field. If he wants to work again, then do something useful and work in a hospital or old people's home. He won't do that because he is selfish and it won't pay him enough money, as once again he is only thinking of himself. Oxford Utd ate the pits and everyone should now boycott them. BartSimpson_ox

6:48am Sun 3 Feb 13

BartSimpson_ox says...

BENKIU.... Look up what killer means....
BENKIU.... Look up what killer means.... BartSimpson_ox

7:27pm Mon 4 Feb 13

BenkiuGuasu says...

Mick Heavey wrote:
However you want to moralise this stupendously idiotic signing, you cannot get away from the fact that this moron killed 2 innocent human beings... why the hell should he get a second chance?... the dead children don't get one !!!... This moronic & desperately greedy Oxford United Management will go down in history as putting profit before human life, & for that reason alone I hope supporters will vote with their feet & their wallets - until this decision is reversed & the Management publically apologise for their inhuman greed ... N.B. If you remain an Oxford United player, employee or supporter, while this 'taker of human life' is still employed by the Club, this is telling the world you have no respect for the sanctity of human life & that you are as disgustingly sub-human as he is... Hopefully, the normal human beings amongst you will stay away until the greedy Management of this Club realise that Human Life comes BEFORE profit... I note that Swindon already hold the moral hgh ground here - at least they had the guts to say NO !!!
"had the guts to say no?" Strange thing to say.... Oxford have guts for taking him on, saying "no" to an ex-con is the easy route....
[quote][p][bold]Mick Heavey[/bold] wrote: However you want to moralise this stupendously idiotic signing, you cannot get away from the fact that this moron killed 2 innocent human beings... why the hell should he get a second chance?... the dead children don't get one !!!... This moronic & desperately greedy Oxford United Management will go down in history as putting profit before human life, & for that reason alone I hope supporters will vote with their feet & their wallets - until this decision is reversed & the Management publically apologise for their inhuman greed ... N.B. If you remain an Oxford United player, employee or supporter, while this 'taker of human life' is still employed by the Club, this is telling the world you have no respect for the sanctity of human life & that you are as disgustingly sub-human as he is... Hopefully, the normal human beings amongst you will stay away until the greedy Management of this Club realise that Human Life comes BEFORE profit... I note that Swindon already hold the moral hgh ground here - at least they had the guts to say NO !!![/p][/quote]"had the guts to say no?" Strange thing to say.... Oxford have guts for taking him on, saying "no" to an ex-con is the easy route.... BenkiuGuasu

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

Get Adobe Flash player
About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree