THE Armed Forces will be celebrated with a day of activities at Oxford United’s home game this afternoon.

The event has been organised by the club and is being backed by the Yellow Army, which is pushing its fundraising drive to help raise cash for the community and unite supporters.

The Military Day will include army vehicles on display and free activities such as laser clay pigeon shooting and paintball at the Kassam Stadium.

The club’s new manager Gary Waddock, who is today in charge of his first home game, urged fans to get behind the event.

He said: “I’ve been really impressed with how the crowd get behind the team and the amount of people that genuinely love this club and want to help make a difference.

“The Military Day should be a fantastic, positive atmosphere, and I want the players to feed off that."

As part of the event, Oxford United is offering buy one get one free on adult tickets for the East Stand and one adult and one child seat in the South stand for £10.

The Yellow Army was founded last summer with the aims to raise funds for the Oxford United Youth and Community Trust and improve the match day atmosphere. And the group, which has raised £1,000 at the club’s last two games, will be selling its merchandise again today.

Yellow Army spokesman Greig Box Turnbull said: “The merchandise has been well received, but now we’re keen to sell the entire stock, as all the profits will help the club.

“The great thing about the Yellow Army is the flexibility in how the funds raised can be put to use for the benefit of our club as a whole and improving the match day atmosphere.’’ At half time in the match against Fleetwood Town, the Yellow Army will present two cheques on the pitch after raising £2,400 from the its 12-mile sponsored walk last year.

The donations are being shared between the Helen and Douglas House Hospice and the club's Youth and Community Trust.

Charlie Methven, trustee of the Oxford United Youth and Community Trust, last night said: “It’s been great this season to see ex-players, current players, directors, coaches and fans all mixing together as Oxford United again under the United We Stand banner.

“It’s the first time in a generation that fans are playing an active part in the life of our club, so I’d appeal to those fans who have not become involved to do so, because it’s what makes Oxford United so special.

“I would like to thank the Yellow Army for the generous cheque, it will make such a difference to us.’’