ANOTHER busy few weeks for OxVox and more points in the bag for the Yellows, both home and away, from two teams just out of the Premier League, writes OxVox chair Paul Peros.
Oxford now have a real identity about how we play, and Des Buckingham manages with a confidence that lets him make changes that keep opposition managers guessing.
What was almost as pleasing is the reaction of supporters to what was a gritty game against Burnley. Oxford supporters get it. We understand.
We were playing a side set up to be Premier League. We are a League One side scaling up to the Championship. We got it and loved it because we know that point could make all the difference come the end of the season.
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On Monday, we went to the training ground to present last year’s winner of the OxVox Supporter of the Year award to Liam Walker for all his work in and around Kidlington to promote the new stadium.
While Liam won the award, fellow nominees Sue Trafford and Rose Green for their work on pre-match stalls, Paul Beasley for his fan’s view articles, and Danny Johnston for his match day ‘here to help’ greetings work around the ground, were also acknowledged.
It was a presentation that had been delayed by flooding at the training ground. It is hard to believe how much damage was done. Half the ground floor has had to be ripped up and exposed to dry while the section above it still cannot be used.
Walls have been stripped and, in some cases, removed. It is not so much the disruption that strikes you at the training ground though, it is the manner in which people are coping with it.
Every person we came across, be they player or backroom staff member, was smiling and greeted us warmly, and none more so than Jonny Edmunds, kit man and a real character in and around the team. What many won’t know is that he is also a UEFA A Licence coach.
Having watched training, we hoped to catch Des for two minutes to have him present the trophy, but having greeted everyone, he told us we had as long as we needed, so our winner and nominees peppered him with questions.
He was open and engaged, and when we discussed his wearing of a hoodie to highlight mental health issues, it was clear how important it was for him that the club made a difference in the community. His community.
Things won’t always be this way. Des is wise enough to know that himself, but right now we have a local man in charge of a team playing exciting, entertaining and effective football in the Championship.
A man who understands the importance of taking the supporters with them. Who values the likes of Jonny for their passion and local pride.
We have supporters fully behind the team and in numbers that surprised even the most optimistic at the club.
We have owners who remain committed to the long-term project and a team in the background working hard to deliver us a world-class stadium to call home.
Not too bad given they have been knee-deep in water. I guess we really do live in a yellow submarine!
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