OXFORD United’s past and present came together to remember club legend Joey Beauchamp, on an emotional day for all those connected with the former winger and the club.

Among those to pay their respects to Beauchamp were former players and teammates including the likes of Anton Rogan, Chris Hackett, Jamie Brooks, Mark Angel, Matt Elliott, Nigel Jemson and Paul Powell.

It was poignant that U’s academy players were also present, as Beauchamp was of course a youth player with the club.

Head coach Karl Robinson and academy manager Dan Harris also attended the funeral, which was scattered with yellow shirts and scarves.

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Peter Rhoades-Brown paid an emotional tribute to Beauchamp at the service, saying: “Joey lived a life that every kid dreams of, you get spotted playing in the park with your mates in a local boys’ team, you play for the youth team, the reserves and then you make your debut for the first team.

“To go on from that and to become a legend at your hometown club is truly unbelievable.

“I was a player at the Manor when Joey first became an apprentice. He was quiet, shy even, but straight away you could see the potential.

“The fans took to Joey straight away and pretty soon he had the scouts from all of the top clubs looking at him.

“As we all know, he never really wanted to leave but his transfer to West Ham saved the football club.

“There was a spell down the A420 and can I just say how respectful both West Ham and Swindon have been over the last few weeks.

“He then came home to the Manor and the old Joey soon emerged.

“He was a massive part of the team winning promotion under Denis Smith and Malcolm Crosby, and scored the best goal ever at the Manor, against Blackpool.”

Rhoades-Brown told attendees how when the news of Beauchamp’s death broke, it ‘shook the whole club’.

“There were tears all around Oxfordshire, and there was an emotional game against Cambridge where 10,000 people sang his name and stood to applaud Joey one last time,” he said.

“He’s one of our own, they sang. And they were right.”

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In addition to family, friends and those associated with the club, there was a huge show of support from fans who turned out to pay their respects.

Among them was Paul Peros, chairman of OxVox, who said: “It was a very sad affair but really nicely done on a lovely, sunny day.

“It was a day which brought back lots of memories and when Peter Rhoades-Brown spoke, he was clearly very moved by it all.

“It was really nice to see the academy boys there too, it was a lovely touch.

“Seeing the shirts and scarves, and plenty of yellow badges, was a lovely sight.

“What we’re pushing now is the fundraiser – we had the Cambridge game, and now we want to continue that for the family.”

To donate, please visit: crowdfunder.co.uk/p/in-loving-memory-of-joey-beauchamp