Her every movement is greeted by roars of approval by the Oxford United faithful.

Her runs from the wing may lack the pace of a Joey Beauchamp but she has a strike rate second to none.

Not to stretcher point, Marie McSweeney, of St John Ambulance, is fast heading for legendary status at the Manor.

Week in, week out she is on hand at United's ground with her colleagues to help injured players.

But her regular appearances carrying a stretcher have become famous for leaving the London Road end nearly dying with laughter.

Roly poly Marie, of Horspath, admits she is hardly well equipped to complete her mercy dashes in record time. And at just 5ft 2in you would not bet on her being able to shift the likes of big United centre back Phil Whelan very easily. But soccer fan Marie has been a St John's volunteer for 22 years and players know she is a key member of a top class emergency team.

The Oxford Mail has paid its own tribute to Marie and her colleagues by sponsoring the stretcher for the rest of the season.

It is part of a £5,000 sponsorship package which includes Football in the Community, the supporters' club and the Oxford United Website.

Marie, who celebrated the deal with St John Amublance divisional Sgt Ian Pinion and David Gough, said: "I have a great relationship with the crowd. There seems to be uproar whenever I come on. They used to even sing the Teletubby song." The ability of players to miraculously recover when she arrives on the scene is always particularly appreciated by her army of fans.

But she said she takes all the remarks about her famous waddle in good heart, with United fans certainly needing something to smile about these days.

"It's just good fun," said Marie, who is a valet with a van hire company. "I get some mickey-taking from the players as well. Dean Windass chased me right up the pitch when I came on the other week."

The St John Ambulance Volunteers may also be called to injured members of the crowd. A team of 12 cover United's home fixtures over the season. Divisional Sgt Ian Pinion said: "You can always tell the players who are seriously injured. They do not move.

"We are volunteers and I think we are really appreciated by people who come to watch the football."

You certainly are by the Oxford Mail and its readers.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.