Limited edition photos released!

TWO Oxford United legends have added their support to the fans' 12th Man Fund by backing a new exciting venture.

Les Phillips and Jeremy Charles, who both starred in Oxford's magnificent Milk Cup final victory at Wembley, have agreed to sign 100 limited edition photos that will be sold for the fund. The iconic image, released from the Daily Mirror's photo archive exclusively for the 12th Man Fund, depicts the duo celebrating reaching the 1986 cup final, sharing a joke and some bubbly in the Manor Ground's dressing room. It is a wonderful photo that captures the buoyant mood that everyone at Oxford enjoyed during the glory years of the 80's.

Both players will sign the first ten photos on the pitch at the Kassam stadium before Oxford's Blue Square Premier match verus Altrincham on 31st October. The photos will then be available to purchase after the game.

Les and Jeremy scored the goals that saw United beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the tense semi final second leg at home after a 2-2 draw in the first leg. Midfield dynamo Les opened the scoring in the second half after driving home a headed knock down from John Aldridge following a fantastic pass by Trevor Hebberd. Welsh international Jeremy increased the lead with a goal from close range and went on to score the third goal in Oxford's 3-0 win over Queens Park Rangers in the final.

The former players were delighted to help the 12th Man Fund by agreeing to be the first Oxford legends to take part in an special series of limited edition photos that will be produced.

Jeremy said: "I am happy to help this great project, it's an absolute pleasure. The 12th Man Fund is doing well and hopefully this will help raise even more money. It is a credit to the Oxford fans who have always been magnificent and always supported the club so well."

He added: "I had a great three years playing for Oxford before my injury, during that time we won the Division Two title and then the Milk Cup it was a fantastic time. We had a magnificent group of players on and off the pitch and I loved my time there. Chris Wilder and the team are on a great run and hopefully they can keep it going and get Oxford back in the football league."

It is estimated the first phase of the 12th Man signed limited edition iconic photos will make well over 1,000 pounds profit for the fund. The unique product will make a fantastic memento for United fans. Only 100 will be available and will be sold on a first come first served basis - so early birds will get one of the ten photos signed on the pitch. Each image, printed on the finest quality Fuji film photographic paper, is individually numbered.

You can pre-order your copy by e-mailing: oxfordutd.12thmanpix@yahoo.co.uk

The 10x8" limited edition black and white print signed by both players costs 20 pounds. A mounted and framed limited edition print is 45 pounds. Prints will be available for cash payment and collection after the Altrincham game in the Exhibition Bar. Deposits of ten pounds will be taken for fans who want a framed version - which will be ready for collection at the following home game.

Oxford fan and Mirror journalist Greig Box Turnbull, who came up with the scheme said: "When the Mirror launched its football website this season and released wonderful old archive photos I hit on the idea and thankfully the paper was happy to help.

"It's absolutely fantastic that former players are so happy to help the fund and give up their time to do so, it really shows how much affection they have for the club and the fans.

"The limited edition photos are a great piece of Oxford history and hopefully will help towards the club's future too."

Sign up for your photo via: oxfordutd.12manpix@yahoo.co.uk

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.

The 12th Man Walk - Kidlington to the Kassam Stadium, 31 October 2009

Plans are now well advanced for the sponsored walk organised by William Willmott to raise money for 12th Man. See the story on the OUFC website. It is hoped that the walk will raise over £1,000 for the fund. Anyone wishing to sponsor a walker, or even participate in the walk at this late stage, can contact twelfthman@oxvox.org.uk or enquiries@oxvox.org.uk and we will pass on your email to William.

OxVox 6-a-Side Tournament

You won't come up against this guy if you play, but it's a nice image to introduce a new trust activity for 12th Man!

The official announcement of this event runs as follows:

OxVox are pleased to announce that it will be holding a 6-a-side football tournament with all the profits being donated to the 12th Man Fund.The event will take place on Sunday 22 November on the astroturf at Oxford Brookes University’s Headington campus. Places are limited to 16 teams and squads should be no larger than 10 players.

We can also reveal that Oxford United will be entering a team, so fans will get the chance to line up against former United players. The cost of entry is £60 per team and a trophy will be presented to the winners on the day. Anyone who would like to enter a side should email mailto:twelfthman@oxvox.org.uk?subject=12th%20Man%206-a-side%20tournament%20enquiry or call 07751 678621.

Oxford United chairman, Kelvin Thomas, said: “This is another great example of The 12th Man bringing the fans and the club together and will be a fun event. The Oxford Old Boys team always love a game and will be looking forward to taking on the fans. I'm sure it will be a day we all remember for a long time."

OxVox press spokesman, Mark Sennett, added: “This is a great opportunity for fans to get together and have a bit of fun, while raising a significant amount of money for the 12th Man Fund. Fans will also get a chance to play against some of their heroes, or maybe even catch the eye of a scout!”“

Anyone who wants to enter a team should get in contact as soon as possible as places are limited and expected to be filled quickly."

12th Man goes national!

The story so far for 12th Man receives some fantastic national exposure today with a feature on the Mirror Football site authored by journalist and OxVox member and 12th Man supporter Greig Box Turnbull.

The feature relates how the fund came about, describes the progress to date which has seen funds raised to sign Jamie Cook, giving the comments of Jamie himself, manager Chris Wilder and club chairman Kelvin Thomas, and takes a look to the future.

Speaking of the future, we are delighted to say we have a project backed by the Mirror in the offing, which will provide another boost to the fund - news about this soon!

Jamie Cook comes home!

Jamie Cook is the first player to be signed with financial support from the 12th Man scheme, following his deadline day transfer today on a 2-year deal from our BSP rivals Crawley Town.

OxVox and the other fans' organisations and groups are very pleased that the fund has been instrumental in securing Jamie's transfer, and we look forward to seeing him scoring for the Us in weeks to come.

Jamie is pictured at the stadium today with the 12th Man flag, in a picture taken between the showers.

The following statement was released earlier this evening, with input from Tim Rosser on behalf of 12th Man:

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Jamie Cook has come back to The U's after nine seasons away, with the fans helping to bring him home through their Twelfth Man scheme.

Originally a trainee with The U's Jamie made 77 appearances and scored seven times before joining Boston United, where his goals helped The Pilgrims win the Conference and a place in the Football League. Spells at Stevenage Borough, Bath City, Witney and Rushden and Diamonds followed before a successful move to Crawley Town where he has scored 32 goals in 68 starts (including three against The U's).

Able to play up front or on either flank, Jamie gives Chris Wilder plenty of attacking options and is likely to feature for the first time when United travel to Ebbsfleet on Saturday.

The signing has been possible thanks to the Twelfth Man initiative. This has seen supporters rally round the supporters’ organisations who have raised funds together and been instrumental in bringing Jamie back to his home town club. Chairman Kelvin Thomas said:

“The signing couldn’t have been a better one to show what the fans and the Twelfth Man movement can achieve. Jamie is one of the top players in this league and is also part of the United support himself: he used to stand on the London Road terrace and support the club at the Manor. Jamie has also taken a pay cut to come here and that shows his commitment.

“He is a perfect representative of what the Twelfth Man was intended to achieve.

“It is great to use the fund early. It shows the fans that there is something behind this initiative and for it to be Jamie is a win for all of us.”

Tim Rosser, spokesman for the 12th Man Fund, said:

“The 12th Man Fund are delighted to have contributed to Jamie's signing. He is a talented player with local roots who will add additional flair and creativity to our squad. We'd like to thank all the Oxford United supporters who have contributed to the fund to date and who have made this signing possible.

“We'd originally envisaged that we would only be in a position to assist Kelvin and Chris with squad strengthening in the January transfer window but thanks to the fantastic early response of our fan-base to our various fund raising ventures we are able to donate a sum to the club immediately.

“The 12th Man fund will continue to grow over the coming months and some exciting further projects are planned. We encourage fans to continue to raise funds so we can aid the club to sign players of a similar calibre in the future.

Welcome back, Jamie and come on you Yellows!”

Badges on Saturday!

There'll be more badges for sale on Saturday in the concourses, the downstairs bar and in the Priory before we take on Stevenage. We'll try and cover as many areas as we can so it should be tough to leave the ground without having been asked for a couple of quid for a badge.

Watch out for the yellow buckets which the badge sellers will be carrying, or wearing on their heads, or something.

If all goes according to plan there will be prizes for a couple of people photographed in the crowd wearing their badges too!

We'll have an update on funds in the account early next week.