Oxford United welcomed members of the England Transplant Football Team on Tuesday evening, celebrating a remarkable World Cup triumph.
Led by Bicester resident and Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) youth worker Daley Cross, the England side recently lifted the Transplant Football World Cup in Frankfurt, beating Spain 5-1 in the final.
The team has a particularly special connection to Oxfordshire, with three of the 16 players having received their life-saving transplants at OUH and continuing to receive follow-up care from the Trust.
The tournament brings together nations united by a shared commitment to raising awareness of organ donation. Every member of the England squad has undergone either a solid organ or stem cell transplant, making their achievements on the pitch all the more inspirational.
Four of the team members were invited down to the Kassam Stadium to enjoy the 1-0 win over Stockport County.
Daley, said: "Being given the opportunity to represent your country is amazing and something you dream of, but to be given it and lead this group is really special.
"Knowing what each of the players has overcome to be here and seeing how they performed just made me the proudest manager on earth. I'm proud of 16 hugely inspirational players who demonstrate what is possible thanks to the selfless decision of another."
Despite only forming in 2024, the team has enjoyed an incredible two years, winning the 2025 Euros, the Home Nations Cup in May and now the World Cup.
The squad is entirely self-funded, with players balancing training and competition alongside work, family and ongoing medical care. Their next challenge will be the European Championships in Malta in May 2027.
To find out more and NHS organ donations, visit organdonation.nhs.uk.
Follow the team on Instagram @englandtransplantsport_f