Former Oxfordshire non-league stars raise thousands with golf day

MORE than 70 former non-league players from yesteryear will battle it out in a charitable round of golf this weekend.

It is the fourth year running that teams captained by ex-Banbury United man Mark O’Hara and former Oxford City player Steve Jenkins will go head-to-head.

This year’s golf day will take place at Oxford Golf Club on Sunday, with 36 players on each side.

Among them include former Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Leicester City midfielder Garry Parker, plus ex-Oxford United and Witney United striker Jamie Cook and former Coventry City midfielder Martin Singleton.

READ ALSO: The latest Aunt Sally results from Oxford league

O’Hara, who is currently losing 2-1 after the first three years, said: “Years ago, we would kick lumps out of each other, but we’ve stayed good mates and not one year has anyone not turned up.

“Players of my era didn’t miss a game of football. We’d play Tuesday and Saturday, and the Sunday league used to be massive, and we’d just get on with it.

“We’d kick lumps out of each other. It used to be very competitive in the 80s and 90s.”

The annual golf day has raised more than £23,000 for Cancer Research UK, with an additional £6,000 collected this year, including a £4,000 donation from event sponsors Hartwell Automative Group.

O’Hara said: “Everybody is there for the competition side of it as well, and it’s very competitive. Last year, Jenks didn’t speak to me for six holes.

“It’s a friendly rivalry and we all go out together after. We’ll go down the Cowley Road or into Jericho, and there are a few who’ll come for the night out after. This year, we’ll have the bank holiday the next day to recover though.”

The golf starts at 1pm with evening out to follow at approximately 7pm, when all ex-players will be welcome.

To donate, please visit: fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/marco-and-jenks-ex-non-league-footballers-golf-day-2025

Coventry City could repeat Jack Rudoni trick by beating Southampton to Oxford United agreement

Coventry City can now begin working on preparations for next season, after they were knocked out of the Championship play-offs at the semi-final stage by Sunderland on Tuesday night.

After taking the lead on the night and levelling up the tie, the Sky Blues ultimately fell to defeat in agonising fashion, as Dan Ballard headed home the winner deep into stoppage time of extra-time to send the Black Cats to Wembley.

Nevertheless, it has still been a hugely positive season for Frank Lampard’s side.

While it may have ended in another play-off heartbreak, there is plenty of reason for optimism surrounding the club heading into next season.

The Midlands outfit will require quality rather than quantity in the transfer market this summer, if they are to compete at the top end of the table again next year. They have already been linked with a player who could prove to be an excellent signing.

Coventry City are interested in Oxford’s Tyler Goodrham

Earlier this week, Football League World exclusively reported that Coventry are one of several clubs chasing a summer move for Oxford United’s Tyler Goodrham.

However, with Middlesbrough and Southampton both also keen on the youngster, the Sky Blues look set to face a battle with some of their divisional rivals for Goodrham’s services.

The midfielder has been a key player for the U’s on their return to the second tier for the first time in 25 years, and only frontman Mark Harris can match his tally of nine goal contributions.

Although he typically operates on the left of the midfield for Oxford, the 21-year-old is extremely versatile and has been used almost everywhere in the attacking half of the pitch by Gary Rowett this term.

The U’s are in a relatively strong position where Goodrham’s future is concerned, even though several clubs are circling around him at present.

The youngster penned a new long-term contract at the club following their promotion to the Championship last summer, meaning Oxford are well-placed to command a significant fee for one of their key men.