Oxford fans united by desire to help Dennis (From thisisoxfordshire)

Oxford fans united by desire to help Dennis

3:42pm Wednesday 26th August 2009

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A LOYAL Oxford United fan who found it increasingly difficult to get to games has got the result he wanted — all thanks to the generosity of fellow fans.

As reported in Saturday’s Oxford Mail, Dennis Thompson, who has difficulty walking, appealed for help in attending matches.

The 77-year-old of Townsend Square, off Donnington Bridge Road, Oxford, said taxis struggled with parking after the final whistle and catching a bus involved a dangerous and lengthy walk.

He wondered if any fans could give him a left and even suggested setting up a minibus service so local fans could share the cost of transport — and he has been overwhelmed by offers of assistance.

Within hours of reading his plight in the Oxford Mail, three people came forward to offer lifts — and one United fan in the United Arab Emirates even offered £200 to pay for Mr Thompson’s taxis for the rest of the season.

The exiled Us fan, who did not want his name printed, said: “I am a fanatical Oxford United supporter and currently live in Dubai. All I can do is offer to pay for this gentleman’s taxi fares for the rest of the season, which I am more than willing to do. I appreciate he has problems with getting taxis back though.

“This man should not miss a single game having put up with so much for so long and especially now we’re on the way back.”

Well-known Oxford fan Martin Brodetsky, who runs the Rage Online website and wrote the recently published Oxford United: The Complete Record, also offered his assistance.

He said: “He lives over the road from me and I go up there every home game and quite a few away.

“I’ve got a people carrier and it’s just me and my boy who go, so it’s silly not to offer him a seat.

“It would be nice to chat to him about the Us history, too.”

Season-ticket holder Ashley Madden was another to a lift.

The 33-year-old, who lives close to Mr Thompson in Weirs Lane, said: “I go to every game at home and away. I have to go that way past his house to go to the stadium so I could easily pick him up.“ A couple from Blackbird Leys, who wished to remain anonymous, also offered transport.

All contact details have been passed to Mr Thompson, who first began watching the U’s when they were called Headington United way back in 1945.

He said: “That’s wonderful. I thought there was a possibility of someone responding, but I wondered if anyone would come forward.

“Hopefully there is a possibility with one of those people, certainly with Mr Brodetsky as he lives so close. Thank you to the Oxford Mail for all your efforts.”

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk

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