12th Man Update – 06.10.09

This piece was written for the Grays match programme and summarises recent 12th Man activity.

The 12^th Man fund goes from strength to strength with new fundraising ideas popping up week by week. Here’s a quick roundup of what’s currently going on.

Priory: Our friends at the Priory pub are organising a Race Night in support of 12^th Man on Saturday 21^st November, (after the Barrow home match) at 8 p.m. All race horses to be named after United players, past and present. A few horses remain to be sold at £10 each, while individual races can be sponsored for £20. All money taken on the tote will be split 50/50 with the fund. Contact twelfthman@oxvox.org.uk for details.

The Priory pub and its regulars continue to be huge backers of 12^th Man. Get along there on a matchday to take part in their various fundraisers. Along with the White Hart at Bicester, and the Masons Arms in Headington, our local pubs are doing their bit.

OxVox membership: For the rest of the year, supporters’ trust OxVox is donating 25% of all new membership fees to 12^th Man. Sign up around the ground today, or at www.oxvox.org.uk

12^th Man badges: A new supply of yellow badges is now available. A white ‘away’ version of the 12^th Man badge was sold for the first time at Barrow and will be sold at future away matches. Limited numbers are also being sold at home today, because not all fans are able to travel.

Cult Zeros shirts: OxVox receives commission for 12^th Man from the sales of these shirts made via the Cult Zeros website (select the OxVox option under ‘Where did you find us?’). We now have shirt designs for 11 players and the manager.

Face in the crowd: We will be taking photos again today for this month’s ‘Face in the Crowd’. If you are featured you will need to present your 12^th man badge to club reception to claim your prize - a football signed by the players.

Sponsored walk: William Willmott is organising this walk from Kidlington to the Kassam Stadium before the Altrincham match on October 31. If you would like to sponsor a walker, or would like to walk, email enquiries@oxvox.org.uk and we will put you in touch with William.

6 a side: The tournament arranged for November 22 is fully booked and a second one has been organised at Brookes University two weeks later on December 6^th to meet the demand. Please email twelfthman@oxvox.org.uk for details on entering a team. Be quick!

Flag bearer: The flag bearer package for £50 is well established and matches are booking up fast. Please email twelfthman@oxvox.org.uk for details.

Donations: Give £10 or more to 12th Man and you will be entered into a draw at the end of 2009 for the prize of a day at the training ground to meet the players! Give £20 or more and you will also receive a year’s free membership of OxVox! You can donate online, via the OxVox and OxKits websites, or send a cheque payable to ‘The 12^th Man’ to 18 Harvest Way, Witney, Oxon OX 28 1EG.

Cartoons: Paul Wakeford offers to produce a unique cartoon of you, and for each cartoon sold a donation is made to 12^th Man. For details see the picture at the top of this post.

Have an idea?: If you want to run an event or have a fundraising idea, do get in touch, via one of the fans’ groups or via the email above. We’d love to hear from you.