Fans and players are United on dream day (From The Oxford Times)

Fans and players are United on dream day

9:50am Monday 16th July 2012 in Oxford By Tom Jennings, covering Witney and West Oxfordshire. Call me on 01865 425403

NEW Oxford United chairman Ian Lenagan greeted hundreds of fans at the Kassam Stadium for the club’s annual open day.

It was a chance for the U’s supporters to meet their heroes, watch them in action and get their hands on this season’s new kit.

Kelvin Thomas stepped down as the club’s chairman on Friday after four years in charge.

Mr Thomas was not at the stadium for Saturday’s open day, but Mr Lenagan, who owns the club, greeted fans at the opening of the event.

He said: “I am delighted to be here. It is nice to have a bit of applause and I hope we get that at the end of the season. Promotion is our objective.

“I am really looking forward to more active involvement with Oxford United and hope to meet up with all of you today.”

Later, he told the Oxford Mail: “This is one of the main aspects of Oxford United that you will find, that the club is very interactive. It is a family club and I love that.”

The highlight of the open day for many was a match between the club’s junior supporters – about 200 youngsters – and the first team.

Needless to say the first team were overwhelmed by the number of players – and, at times, footballs – on the pitch and lost ultimately 3-2.

But the first team did, however, beat a team of five Oxford Mail readers in a penalty shootout, taking the overall tally to three wins to two to the players over the years.

Oxford United manager Chris Wilder said: “It has been a fantastic day. The highlight for me was the kids versus first team game.

“Today is about that relationship between the supporters and the players.”

Striker James Constable said: “It is nice that the fans can come out and meet the new players and today is great for the kids.”