Oxford United will today mark the third anniversary of the death of Ross Doyle with a half-time appeal to anyone who knows the identity of his killer to go to the police.

Ross was knocked down and killed by a stolen red Vauxhall Astra in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, three years ago. No-one has been prosecuted over his death.

Football-loving Ross, nine, a pupil at St John Fisher RC First School, was one of the stars of the Blackbird Leys under-nine team.

He was killed in Pegasus Road while returning from football practice at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre at about 8.45pm on December 13, 2000.

United's Kassam Stadium is less than a mile from where he died, and the Oxford Mail approached the club about making an appeal with the backing of Ross's mother Cheryl and police.

An announcement will be made over the public address system at half-time in its home match against Carlisle.

Stadium manager Tony Ashley said: "I am sure someone out there knows something about what happened, and this appeal might jog a few memories. People sympathise with Mrs Doyle, and it is at this time of year that we remember things like this."

The Doyle family will visit his grave on Christmas Day to leave fresh flowers.

Mrs Doyle said: "We shouldn't be taking flowers to him on Christmas Day -- we should be giving him presents. We can't enjoy Christmas any more -- we just get through it.

"The Christmas tree doesn't go up until the last minute, and it comes down as quickly as possible. But we still have other children we have got to make an effort for."

Police have offered a £10,000 reward in a bid to find the driver. Four men and a woman were arrested and released without charge.

Mrs Doyle, of Redwood Close, Greater Leys, still believes someone will be brought to justice one day, but is gradually losing hope as the years go by.

Mrs Doyle, 41, said she, her husband Mick, 44, and children Naomi, 20, Ricky, 16, and Kylie, 14, would visit Ross's graveside and the roadside memorial in Pegasus Road on December 13 and on December 25.

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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