Jenna Legg and Naomi Bedeau surprise young supporter

Jenna Legg and Naomi Bedeau surprised a young supporter with a mascot package for Oxford United Women’s FA Cup Fourth Round victory over Middlesbrough.

In a surprise coordinated by Oxford United in the Community, the Women’s Team players filmed a video message for Premier League Primary Stars participant, Joana, before also gifting her a free home shirt.

Naomi and Jenna first met Joana when she, along with two other children from St Mary’s School in Banbury, were invited to the Training Centre in December for an early Christmas present.

The schoolchildren were given a tour of the Training Centre, which included conversations with Oxford United CEO, Tim Williams, and Head Coach of Oxford United Women, Liam Gilbert, before meeting their heroes from the Men’s and Women’s Teams.

After seeing her passion for the team, Captain, Naomi Bedeau, and Jenna Legg invited Joana to walk out with them for last Sunday’s huge FA Cup Fourth Round match against Middlesbrough.

Joana takes part in Premier League Primary Stars, delivered by Oxford United in the Community, and was inspired by watching Oxford United Women in action.

Launched in 2017, and available to every primary school in England and Wales, Oxford United in the Community is one of more than 104 professional football club community organisations across England and Wales delivering Premier League Primary Stars, supporting pupils in the classroom, the playground and on the sports field. There have been more than 20 million attendances by primary school pupils at club-led sessions to date

She said: “After school on Wednesdays, some girls go to the field and we now play football. It’s really fun, I like the way we communicate with each other and it’s quite fun playing football.”

“It was fun to hang out with Naomi (Bedeau). She is really kind and sweet.”

Before the match, Joana was invited into the team’s changing room where she met all the players and secured their autographs.

Liam Gilbert’s side produced a dramatic late comeback, courtesy of goals from Maisy Barker, Riva Casley and Holly Manders, to win 3-1 and progress into the Fifth Round.

Now on a six-game winning streak, Oxford United Women will host Charlton Athletic on Sunday 22 February with a place in the Quarter Finals up for grabs.