Everyone associated with Oxford United's early days in Headington has been greatly saddened by the news of the death of Les Bateman, at the age of 91.

Les was United's groundsman for more than 30 years, and one of Headington's best known characters.

A lifelong supporter of the club, his connections with the team went back to their Spartan League days.

The groundsman before Mick Moore, he was also a general handyman who helped build the concrete terraces at the Manor.

He started work for United in 1947, and two years later he and the team manager were the only full-time employees.

He took a personal, almost fatherly interest in the United players, even when they moved on to other clubs.

He would give out the team lists and answer press inquiries. On training nights it was he who would set up the skittles for the players to dribble round, and on Fridays he would get the match balls ready ( "they were proper footballs then, not like these seaside balls they have now," he often said).

When the occasion demanded it, he would also be ready with his special "tonic" for the players - raw eggs and sherry mixed together.

Born in Headington Quarry, Les lived in the area all his life and admitted of Headington: "I know every nook and cranny."

He remembered horses being taken to graze on what became the Manor Ground - Headington United used to play on the Rifle Range in those early days - and he was a constant spectator.

A funeral service will take place at St Andrew's Church, Headington, on Wednesday, September 10.