THE star of TV show The Secret Millionaire is helping boost Oxford City Casuals football club by becoming its new patron.

Professor Kevin Morley, who appeared on the Channel 4 series in March, is aiming to help raise the side’s profile and help it progress.

The team, part of Oxford City Football Club, is made up entirely of people with learning difficulties.

In the TV show, Prof Morley went undercover with charities and organisations before revealing he was a millionaire and making a donation.

Now, in a new venture, he is aiming to help Oxford City Casuals Active, a project set up to offer opportunities that encourage self-sufficiency through work placements, courses and give advice on educational needs.

Prof Morley said: “What really attracted me to the club the most was the attitude of ‘more than just football’.

“When I was approached by the club and came to see the work going on behind the scenes, I felt it would be an absolute privilege to get involved.

“I strongly believe that this is a club that wants to move forward to improve its facilities for the wider community.”

He added: “The Oxford City Casuals is a prime example of community innovation at its best.

“The Casuals are the major attraction for me because they are providing great choices for people who may find it difficult to otherwise access these facilities.

“Oxford City FC offers an inclusive and friendly environment that wants to support all levels of ability within sport and other areas.”

Prof Morley is the ex-managing director of Rover, where he was responsible for an annual turnover of £3.2 billion, and is from Oxfordshire.

He says he wants to use his expertise and contacts to help the “impressive” work carried out by volunteers and staff at the club.

The Casuals were set up two years ago and the number of players attending has risen sharply. The team consists of male and female players aged from 8 to 42, all with different levels of special needs and disabilities.

Oxford City Football Club managing director Colin Taylor said: “We are absolutely delighted that Kevin has joined us and shown great interest in wanting to support the work we are all doing here.

“His charisma and expertise would be a major asset in the further growth of Oxford City Casuals.

“Overall, we are a club that is aiming to move forward and looking to increase our all-round development.”

dhearn@oxfordmail.co.uk