Oxford United invite local school to be part of team photo

Children from Pegasus Primary School in Blackbird Leys hopped off the bus at United’s training ground adjacent to the Mini Plant in Cowley, and were treated to an unforgettable afternoon.

Pupils met their U’s heroes, grabbed autographs and had a mini kickabout with the players, prior to sitting in the squad’s team photo for the 2024/25 season.

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United are playing in the second tier of English football for the first time in 25 years, and four days after promotion in the play-off final at Wembley, head coach Des Buckingham returned to his former school, Our Lady’s Roman Catholic Primary in Cowley, for a special assembly.

For Buckingham, yesterday’s event at the training ground had a similar impact.

He said: “We wanted to do a team photo, and normally they’re held at the stadium and last year was held at Blenheim Palace, but to be able to involve the local community and one of the local schools in the area is a really nice touch, trying to connect us that little bit more with the local community.

“You saw the impact at Our Lady’s and I had first-hand experience of going in there after Wembley, and the impact the club has on the young people around this area.

“Anything we can do to try and build these connections that are so important not just to the school, but for the kids, who if they’re not supporters now, hopefully they’ll be supporters in the future.

“If you strip everything back, a football club is a representation of the area that it’s from, and that’s certainly the case in Oxford.”

Oxford United head coach Des Buckingham signs autographs for the pupils (Image: Steve Edmunds) Malcolm Ebiowei enjoys a kickabout with two pupils (Image: Steve Edmunds) U’s captain Elliott Moore added: “The club’s very good with the community and this brings everyone together, and it’s important for us to do it as players.

“As we grow as a team and progress the way we want to on the pitch, it’s important we do it off the pitch as well.

“Things like this are massively important for not just players, but everyone associated with the club.

“I remember waiting for signatures after the games, and how happy I was to get them, so it’s great to give back to people and I think it’s really important for us to do that as players.”

Ben Nelson signs an autograph (Image: Steve Edmunds) Oxford-born midfielder Josh McEachran said: “It’s massive for the kids, and you saw when we all walked out, their faces all lit up, getting signatures and pictures.

“I remember going up to the Manor when I was young, and meeting all the players back in the day, and it’s massive. Those memories stay with you forever, so it’s a big day for everyone.”