Des Buckingham's tribute to Oxford United legend Micky Lewis

The 36-year-old, from Cowley, began his career at Oxford United aged 18 and went from coaching the age-group sides to joining Chris Wilder’s first-team staff in the 2013/14 season.

Lewis was assistant manager at the time, but had already long been a colleague and a friend.

Fresh from helping Melbourne City win their maiden A-League title, Buckingham spoke about the impact the U’s legend - who died in March aged 56 - had on his career.

Read also: Des Buckingham reflects on historic title triumph

He said: “I think Micky nearly adopted me into his family, and I say ‘adopted’ loosely.

“We were very good friends with him and his family post him being my coach and we stayed in contact up until what happened, which is horrible.

Des Buckingham Picture: Aleksandar Jason

“I’d go to his family functions and he almost brought me in as a son, so he was a huge influence on me as a person.

“The ten years I spent at the club was hopefully a starting platform for a really successful coaching career, but it actually set me on my way to the type of person I’ve turned out to be.

“That’s from a lot of grounding from Micky and people like (head of academy coaching) Les Taylor, who are still there.”

Buckingham helped bring through right back Sam Long, this season’s players’ and fans’ player of the year, and Callum O’Dowda, who joined Sky Bet Championship side Bristol City in 2016.

He left United during the 2013/14 campaign to become the New Zealand FA’s football development manager.