Mascots to have a day to remember
Two young Oxford fans will have the time of their lives as they lead the teams out at Wembley on Sunday.Oxford United and Oxford Brookes University have teamed up to make Wembley a day that Jacob Crook will never forget.
Jacob, 9, will lead the teams out at Wembley on Sunday as Oxford United take on Barnsley. Over 60,000 fans are expected for the final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and Jacob will be one of the two official Oxford United mascots thanks to Brookes.
Jacob is a regular Oxford United supporter and plays for Quarry Rovers FC, who train on the sports ground at Oxford Brookes.
Oxford Brookes University is a big part of the U’s success this year with students helping out the physio, medical and analysis staff behind the scenes at the Kassam Stadium, and the University logo will appear not only on Jacob’s shirt but also on the kit of physio Andrew Proctor.
Oxford Brookes student jazz trio, Three Quarters of a Quartet, have also been invited to perform in front of the club and 600 VIPs at a special event after the match after impressing chairman Darryl Eales during a performance at the University’s Headington Campus.
Director of Corporate Affairs at Oxford Brookes University, Dr Anne Gwinnett said: “We are extremely proud to be sponsoring Oxford United’s mascot for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final at Wembley and in doing so, supporting the great work of the club’s Community Trust.
“Oxford Brookes University and Oxford United’s Community Trust programme share the common goal of helping young people to reach their full potential and achieve their dreams. At Brookes we are fully committed to supporting our local community, and partnerships such as this play an important role in enabling us to do that.
“We wish Oxford United all the best for the day and look forward to continuing to build on our relationship with the club.”
Darryl Eales, Oxford United Chairman, said
“It’s fantastic to see the club join up with Brookes for a national showcase final. It is another way in which we have teamed up and hopefully the partnership can go from strength to strength. We hope that Jacob has a fantastic day at Wembley.”
Jacob will be joined by Lucas Randall.
Lucas, who’s 7, has down syndrome and towards the end of last year was diagnosed with leukaemia. This season, through the Community Season Ticket scheme, the U’s were able to give the family a season ticket so they have been able to come to home games when Lucas’s treatment and health have allowed.
Caroline Robbins, the Oxford United Community Trust Director takes up the story
“Paul, Lucas’s dad has kept us up to date with his treatment all the way through so we’ve always been able to give the ticket to someone else if they can’t use it, or pop over and say hello.
“I’ve seen Lucas, his dad and sister at so many games and having the chance to see Lucas be a happy little boy and give him and his family time to forget about the trauma of hospital has been amazing so when the opportunity came up to take a mascot to Wembley the first person we thought of was Lucas.
“Lucas and his family will be our guests at the game on Wembley and Lucas will be one of the two mascots leading the teams out. The Wembley Hilton have kindly given us a reduced rate for two nights and KLM Chauffeurs of Oxford have kindly offered to take him and his family there and back.
“We hope the whole family have a fantastic day out.”
Lucy Gil of KLM Chauffeurs said:
“I am truly pleased that we can contribute to Lucas’s happiness in at least a small degree and really hope him and his family really enjoy their weekend.”
To find out more about KLM Chauffeurs of Oxford visit http://klmchauffeurs.com/