YOUNG Paris Sercombe will be the only one in her family flying the flag for Oxford United today, as the rest of her family are Swindon fans.

The 13-year-old football fan will be sitting in the opposite side of the stadium to her dad Justin as he supports the U’s biggest rivals.

And last night she insisted: “I would rather be with the Oxford fans.”

Dad and Robins fan Justin Sercombe, 40, who grew up in Swindon, admitted he would be happy if the derby game ended in a draw just to keep their Kennington home quiet.

He said: “I am hoping for a 1-1 draw to keep the peace. But I have got a sneaking suspicion we will win.”

Paris, a Matthew Arnold School pupil, plays in goal for Oxford United’s Girls Centre of Excellence under-15 team.

She has played for the team since she was nine and supported the U’s for even longer, but said her dad had often tried to convert her. She said: “He always says I’m a secret Swindon fan, but I will never be.”

The rest of her family – mum Tina, brother Foley, 15, and sister Kelsey, 10 – are all Swindon fans.

She said: “They always chant footballs songs at me.”

But the United season ticket-holder said she thought the U’s had a chance today, adding: “I think it is going to be all right.

“But if they win they will probably chant songs at me and take the mickey.”

Mr Sercombe, a catering manager at John Mason School in Abingdon, said: “She has just followed Oxford all the way along. It is strange really, because she is my daughter.

“She is a very strong-headed girl. I tried to twist her, but she is not budging.

“There are four of us in the family and one Oxford fan so I always get a bit of back up.”

When Oxford United played Swindon Town in August, the U’s won 2-1.

Swindon season ticket-holder Mr Sercombe queued for 12 hours to get a seat with his fellow fans at the Kassam Stadium for today’s match.

But he said as he lived near Oxford he often had to put up with teasing from friends.

He said: “It always has been a friendly rivalry. It was not too bad when Oxford beat us at the County Ground.

“If we lose, it happens, but we are having a great season anyway.”

He added: “It will be tense in our house and, depending on the result, that will add to the atmosphere.”

Match preview: P46-48

Keep up to date with the action at oxfordmail.co.uk