Ahead of the 40th anniversary of Oxford United’s 1986 Milk Cup triumph, Club Ambassador Peter Rhoades-Brown has been touring the trophy across the city, meeting supporters of all ages and backgrounds. Along the way, he’s been bringing that unforgettable League Cup victory to life, while giving fans the chance to see the silverware up close.
Rosie and the trophy have been out and about across the local area, stopping off at a variety of venues, including:
- Primary and secondary schools
- Care homes and home visits
- The Manor Club
You can catch some of the standout moments from the tour in the images below. Alongside the trophy tour, we’ll also be revisiting the road to Wembley with daily reflections on the key moments that led to lifting the cup. Keep an eye out for a story each day in the lead-up to next week’s Wrexham match, as we relive that magical cup run.
Before you check out the images from our trophy tour, a reminder that tickets are still available for the Sky Bet Championship fixture against Wrexham on Tuesday 21 April.
It promises to be a special evening, with plenty of pre-match entertainment across the Exhibition Bar, Icons Restaurant and pitchside, including 80s-themed games and music, while several members of that historic, trophy-winning squad will be joining us as special guests.
Tickets for the game remain available and can be purchased:
- By clicking HERE
- By calling 01865 337 533
- By visiting the Ticket Office in person
- Click HERE for Hospitality options
Stop One: A Special Visit To Audrey
Rosie and the trophy began their tour with a heartfelt visit to a care home in Thame, where they joined Audrey in celebrating her remarkable 100th birthday. A lifelong supporter who had followed Oxford United since the 1930s, Audrey was given the special honour of holding the Milk Cup trophy and presented with a shirt signed by the squad - a small gesture of thanks for her decades of unwavering support, and a fitting tribute to an extraordinary milestone.
Rosie spent a wonderful afternoon with Audrey, surrounded by her friends, family, and carers, sharing stories, laughter, and memories built over a lifetime of following the Club.
It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Audrey passed away just a few weeks after our visit.
Everyone at the Club sends their heartfelt condolences to Audrey’s family, friends, and all who knew and loved her.
Audrey Surman (1926 – 2026)
Stop Two: Windmill Primary School
Our second stop on the tour took us to Windmill Primary School, where Rosie delivered a short Oxford United history lesson to pupils across Key Stages one to three, sparking plenty of excitement in the assembly hall. The children asked some fantastic questions about the trophy and what the Club’s triumph meant, and were thrilled to see it up close on stage.
But perhaps no one was more excited than one pupil, a season ticket holder, who proudly wore his dad’s original horn hat from that famous day at Wembley.
Stop Three: Albany Care Home
The tour then continued to Albany Care Home, where several residents are lifelong supporters of Oxford United. For some, it was an especially poignant moment, as Rosie placed the trophy into the hands of those who had been there at Wembley on that unforgettable day.
Memories of 1986 and the many years surrounding it were shared within the room, and Rosie was thrilled to help create an afternoon that will live long in the memory for everyone involved.
Stop Four: Home Visit for Neil
The trophy’s next stop was the home of Neil, a lifelong Oxford United supporter who was in the crowd at Wembley Stadium on the day the Club lifted the trophy.
Unaware of the surprise that was about to come his way, Neil was left both stunned and delighted when Rosie arrived at his front door. It was a special opportunity for him and his family to reflect on a day that remains so fondly remembered.
Stop Five: Aureus Secondary School
The penultimate stop on the tour took Rosie to Aureus Secondary School in Didcot, where he spoke to hundreds of students across a range of classes and year groups. Sharing stories from the 40-year-old Cup Run, Rosie helped bring the history of the Milk Cup to life, giving younger supporters a genuine understanding of its significance and why it remains a proud moment for the Club.
And of course, no school visit would be complete without a trip to the football pitches. Rosie joined a Year 9 PE lesson, where pupils were thrilled to chat with him, take photos with the trophy, and even show off their skills in front of an Oxford United legend.
Stop Six: The Manor Club
The Milk Cup trophy tour came to a close last week with a final stop at the Manor Club. While Rosie regularly hosts these events, this marked the first time the Milk Cup trophy had been in attendance, giving many long-standing United supporters the chance to take photos with an iconic piece of the Club’s history.
As the final Manor Club session of the season, it was a particularly special occasion. Rosie handed over hosting duties to BBC Oxford’s Jerome Sale, who led a Q&A with special guest Mr Rhoades-Brown, reflecting on his playing career at Chelsea and Oxford United, including that unforgettable cup run and League Cup triumph.
We thoroughly enjoyed surprising hundreds of supporters of all ages and backgrounds across Oxfordshire, each with their own unique connection to the Club.
Now, we look ahead to welcoming the Milk Cup–winning squad back to the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday 21 April, as we face Wrexham in another crucial Championship fixture.
