A 77-year-old Oxford United super fan received a top-of-the-table treat from the club’s charity arm.
Maureen (Mo) Wise, who lives at Launton Grange Care Home in Bicester, has been an Oxford United FC supporter for as long as she can remember.
Mo and her husband, Ronald, never missed a game. But unfortunately, Mo hadn’t been able to attend a match since 2017, just before Ronald passed away.
When she told her carers about her devotion to the club, they reached out to Oxford United’s charity arm, Oxford United in the Community.
Following this, three coaches from Oxford United in the Community came to visit her at Launton Grange. They presented her with a football shirt and scarf, and free front row tickets to their next game at the Kassam Stadium.
One of the coaches, Mark Thomas, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to visit Mo and invite her to the stadium to watch her beloved team.”
On match day Mo, accompanied by two carers, was picked up in a Rolls Royce by local taxi company Alpha Cars.
After arriving at the stadium, Mo was taken to the VIP section of Kassam Stadium, where her family and friend were waiting for her. It was here that she also got to meet some of the Oxford United players.
To Mo’s further delight, she was invited onto the pitch at half time to draw a raffle prize in front of crowds.
When the game ended, Mo took her two carers, Stefanie and Hanna, to see the brick that her and her husband had bought when the Kassam Stadium was built.
Stefanie said: “Mo had the biggest smile when she was showing off the brick with her and her husband’s name on that was used when the Kassam Stadium was built. I felt so privileged to have shared this day with Mo and Hanna.”
Overcome with joy and gratitude for her surprise day, Mo said: “‘This day made me feel so important. I thought I was just going to see the football, I never expected to be picked up in a Rolls Royce and put in the VIP section. The send-off was such a surprise, and standing on the pitch for the first time was amazing.
“I am very grateful to Hanna and Stefanie for coming with me, and to everyone involved. The day couldn’t have been any better.”
Paul Turvey, Home Manager at Launton Grange, said: “Thank you to team Launton and everyone who supported us from the local community to make this dream a reality for Mo.”
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