Thousands of free tickets have been made available for Oxford United’s game against Bury this weekend.

The club have announced offers for season ticket holders and the community which could see almost 5,000 seats given away.

The first scheme will see 2,000 tickets handed out to schoolchildren and their families.

It has been funded by new club parters, Quantel Bifold BTCC Racing Team, and will be split between The Oxford Academy and the surrounding primary schools.

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Mark Ashton, United’s chief executive, said: “We want to give something to the fans and to the local community at Christmas and these two initiatives are our way of a small thank you from us to the people who support us.

“The Oxford Academy is right on our doorstep and we want to get everyone in the Leys areas of Oxford coming along to games and supporting us every week.”

The other giveaway is for season ticket holders, who are able to bring along a guest for free.

Ashton said: “Recently we did a free ticket offer to those who didn’t renew this season, and that got us thinking that we should do something for those who are here week-in, week-out.

“Hopefully they can bring their family and friends and have a great day with us.”

The moves should see the clash with Bury comfortably surpass the highest attendance this season, which is 7,552 for the 2-1 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers last month.

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