Great prize as United help Special Effect
Oxford United Announce Appointment of 12 Year Old Chairman (for one day only!)With football constantly looking to explore new initiatives and eager to embrace the younger generation, the Sky Bet League Two game between Oxford United and Southend United at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday (17th January) will make history – if only for the day.
At the age of 12 most lads would be grateful for the chance to be a ball boy or mascot but ambitious Tommy Greenwood, a year 8 pupil at Wheatley Park School, is fortunate enough to take on a slightly more challenging role; namely that of the Oxford United Chairman.
This unique opportunity arose when Tommy took part in a madcap motoring event called the Twin Town Challenge in May 2014, when 50 £500 cars drove over 1,000 miles and around the world-famous racing circuits of Brands Hatch and Le Mans to raise £120,000 for the gamers’ charity Special Effect.
During the event a charity auction offered the opportunity to become United Chairman for the day and Tommy’s father, John, made the highest bid and nominated Tommy to take up the role.
Tommy seized the chance and will be Chairman for the day when Southend United visit the Kassam Stadium. He will spend time with United Chairman Darryl Eales and the Oxford board, meet Head Coach Michael Appleton and the players before the game, and then host the directors and guests in the boardroom before watching the game from the directors box. He spent this morning at the training ground, meeting the staff and talking to the players as well as joining in the warm up before training.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Tommy said. “The Twin Town challenge was a fantastic experience and becoming Chairman will be a day I never forget. It is a very generous offer from the club and hopefully helps to raise the profile of the work that Special Effect do as well.”
Oxfordshire-based Charity Special Effect is a life-changing charity that helps children with disabilities participate in computer games. Twin Town Challenge organiser Brendon Cross has announced that, owing to the great success of last year’s event, another Twin Town Challenge is planned with the provisional dates set for 27th - 30th May 2016.
Once his reign as chairman comes to an end after the final whistle on Saturday, Tommy will turn his attention to GameBlast15, a nationwide ‘gaming for good marathon’ on the weekend of 20th-22nd February 2015 which Tommy will be participating in and which will be raising further funds for Special Effect
If you enjoy gaming then find out why YOU should be part of GameBlast15 right here: http://www.specialeffect.org.uk/gameblast-about