Charity Stand Announcement

Oxford City announce new Charity Stand

Oxford City have announced unique plans to transform their main stand at Court Place Farm Stadium into a Charity Stand with all monies raised for the use of the 300 seats to be donated direct to local charity. With this initiative the stand will be renamed the Helen & Douglas House stand and spectators will be allowed free admission to the stand but invited to make a donation to the famous local hospice which provides exceptional care for children and young adults. Together with half-time collections and other fundraising events the club have set themselves a target of £1000 per season in support of Helen & Douglas House.

City chairman Brian Cox explained further; ‘The club already donate as much as possible to local charities and will continue to do so. This development goes one step further and allows the football community to form a special link with Helen & Douglas House and all players and officials at Oxford City Football Club are very proud to be able to support their marvellous work. This is the 125^th Anniversary Season for Oxford City and the forming of an association with Helen & Douglas House is considered a perfect milestone to add to the history of the club.

On Sunday 8^th October the club are hosting a special charity fun 6-a-side competition at Court Place Farm Stadium organised by local businessmen which will launch the new Helen & Douglas House stand and the initial contributions to the fundraising target. Admission is free to this family fun event which starts at 12.00 noon until 5.00pm. Plenty to eat and drink and children will be able to enjoy penalty competitions, football skills training, bouncy castle, BBQ, etc etc.

Welcome to Helen & Douglas House

Helen & Douglas House is a registered charity providing respite and end of life care for children and young adults with life-shortening conditions, as well as support and friendship for the whole family. The two hospice houses are bright, vibrant and positive places, where the emphasis is on living life to the full, even when that life may be short.

There are many families in the UK who are caring for a child or young adult who has a life-shortening condition. Caring for someone with such a condition, often for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, over many years, can put an immeasurable strain upon the family. And whilst families willingly invest love, energy and care, life becomes governed by the relentless timetable of nursing and medical needs.

Relationships can suffer, careers may have to be abandoned, healthy brothers and sisters can feel left out and regular family activities and holidays can be rare. Families often feel alone and afraid in their grief.

How Helen & Douglas House can help
Children can stay at Helen House and young adults can stay at Douglas House, along with their families, for short periods of time for rest and recuperation, treatment of distressing symptoms, end of life care and support.

Helen & Douglas House aims to help the children and young adults who stay at one of the two Houses to live life to the full as far as possible. We envision a time when no child or young adult with a life-shortening condition will journey alone or unsupported.
Helen House was the world's first children's hospice. Douglas House was the world's first 'Respice' for young adults. www.helenanddouglas.org.uk

Announcement re: Andy Lyne

After signing a two year contract earlier this year, successful Oxford City manager Andy Lyne has strengthened his ties with the club still further by joining the board and accepting the role of Director of Football. Oxford City have grown significantly in recent years and in this key role Lyne will now be responsible for the co-ordination and consistency of the highest possible standard of coaching implementation throughout the club. This covers all the age groups of Oxford City Youth, Oxford City Colts, Oxford City Ladies and Girls and also includes associated club Oxford Quarry Nomads

Chairman Brian Cox expressed his delight that Andy Lyne had agreed to accept the challenge and commented ‘we have enjoyed an unprecedented rate of growth at Oxford City and we recognise that in order to maintain the high standards across all the teams it is vital that the coaching and tactical strategy is well managed throughout the club. This important position covers not only the development and progress of the younger players which requires careful planning and monitoring but also the development and co-ordination of our coaching team. This is key to our continued expansion and with Andy Lyne we clearly have the best man for that job’.

Lyne will also continue the role of First Team Manager at City again supported by Assistant/Player Manager Justin Merritt. The impressive backroom team are further strengthened by the appointment of Kevin McGreskin to head the coaching team assisted by Kevin Kennedy. The new goalkeeping coach is Macaulay Iyayi and Nicole Brooks joins as match day physio whilst Neil Greig continues his responsibilities in charge of all physiotherapy at the club, combining his duties with those he holds at Watford FC. Jon Adaway continues as Chief Scout. McGreskin gained extensive coaching experience at Livingstone, Hearts and Dundee United before moving locally with the RAF.