West End playwright Willy Russell has become the unlikely saviour for a young Oxford fan who looked set to miss tomorrow’s big play-off match.

Football-mad Ollie Williams faced a difficult choice: watch Oxford United’s semi-final or concentrate on his GCSEs.

Ollie, who has not missed a game at the Kassam Stadium this season, was due to head to London with classmates to watch a performance of Blood Brothers, which he has been studying in drama.

Unfortunately, it clashed with tomorrow’s vital play-off semi-final first leg clash away to Rushden & Diamonds So, the 15-year-old decided to seek advice from the top – Blood Brothers author Mr Russell.

Within days, the playwright told him he should go to the game, and even offered to pay for two tickets for Olly to see the show at the Phoenix Theatre this weekend.

Last night Ollie, a pupil at Lord Williams’s school in Thame, said he could not contemplate missing the game.

He said: “I liked the play and was keen to see it, but the play-off game could not have come on a worse night.

“I went to the league game at Rushden and have followed the team everywhere this season, so did not want to miss this one.

“I was at Eastbourne on Saturday and asked Oxford Chairman Kelvin Thomas what I should do and he said: ‘Do what you think is right.’ “I was still going to the play, but when Willy Russell gave me permission to go to the game I thought I had been given permission from the best possible person.”

Liverpool-born Mr Russell, 62, also wrote Shirley Valentine and Educating Rita, which were both turned into films – the latter starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters.

In an email to Ollie, Mr Russell said: “I can’t see the problem.

“You should certainly go to the game and then your father should take you to see the show. I’m sure there’ll be tickets available for one of the weekend shows.

“Good luck with the game. Win or lose, I’ll reimburse you the cost of your two Blood Brothers tickets (provided, that is, that father and son see the show together!).”

Last night, Lord Williams’s School manager Dawn Armitage said: “This is a lovely story. As a sports college we are delighted that Ollie has a serious commitment both to sport and studying.

“His innovative and courteous approach has assured him the best of both worlds. We hope he enjoys the play as much as the match.

“A score draw for Willy and Oxford United.”

Ollie, from Thame, added: “My dad has booked us tickets for Saturday afternoon at Blood Brothers now so I will be at the away leg on Thursday then the home leg on Monday.

“Hopefully, the U’s can get to Wembley and I can do well with my GCSE as well.”