OXFORD United legends will join clubs across the county for a special memorial match to pay tribute to Micky Lewis.

The ‘One for the Road’ charity game takes place at the Kassam Stadium on Sunday, October 10 (3pm), to honour one of Oxfordshire football’s greatest servants.

Lewis died on March 5, aged 56, just weeks after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer.

The outpouring of emotion reflected not only his 27-year association with United, but the impact he had on football across the county.

Lewis was best-known for his time with the U’s, for whom he played more than 350 games, was twice caretaker manager and filled numerous other roles.

He was assistant when Chris Wilder became United boss in December 2008 and the pair became close, as they guided the club back to the Football League in 2010.

Wilder will be among a host of ex-teammates, players Lewis coached and former colleagues at Grenoble Road on October 10.

The former U’s boss attended a funeral service for his friend at Court Place Farm in April, which was limited in capacity due to the third national lockdown, but knows there are many more people who will want to pay their respects.

“First and foremost it’s to celebrate Micky, because the speed and the timing of it all was tragic,” Wilder said.

“There would have been hundreds, if not thousands of people there.

Oxford Mail:

Left to right: Chris Wilder, Micky Lewis and Alan Hodgkinson during their time at Oxford United Picture: Jon Lewis

“Oxford United and Oxford City came together with the family and they did so fantastically well.

“But I think we all know he would’ve been given a great reception, as a mark of the man that he was.

“He wouldn’t have wanted it, because it wasn’t about him – it was about the collective.

“I became not just a colleague of his, but a very close friend and I think that’s how Micky was with everyone he came into contact with.”

Lewis joined United from Derby County in 1988, having started his career at West Bromwich Albion.

He was a mainstay for almost three decades, but his influence extended far beyond the club.

Lewis coached the Oxford University men’s side for 18 years from 2002 and was head coach of Oxford City’s Velocity football and education programme, while he even helped out at Stonesfield Strikers, where his son Zach plays.

Those clubs and more have joined forces to set-up the memorial match, with the funds raised going to Zach and his wife Suzy.

Wilder added: “Micky never played in an era of big wages, he was never involved in football from the financial point of view.

“He was involved in it because it was a game that he loved and he gave everything, whether for his previous clubs, for Oxford United at all levels, the university or the local clubs.

“It’s important we do our best to help Suzy, Zach and the family going forward.”

Tickets go on sale soon, while a charity auction will also take place.