THE hundreds of Oxford United fans in the cardboard cut-out army on Monday will be joined by a club legend.

No one has made more Football League appearances than John Shuker, who played 534 games across 17 years and was part of the U’s squad which won promotion into the second tier for the first time – in the 1967/68 season.

He died aged 77 in December, but the family were keen for him to be in the stands for the Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final second leg against Portsmouth.

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His daughter Hannah got in touch with the club to ask if they had a colour photo which could be used, but a member of their social media team went one better and covered the cost.

His widow Lynn was touched by the gesture.

“John will be there in spirit,” she said.

“Oxford have been so lovely to us, even though lockdown has changed everything.

“They have been so supportive as a club to the family as a whole.

“Hannah asked about a particular photo but then the club said it was on them because he’s part of the club and I think it’s lovely.

“We still feel part of the club.”

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Lynn has been shielding at home in Bampton during lockdown, but the play-offs come at just the right time to reunite.

She said: “That’s how important Oxford United are to us – the first time I’m going to have company in the house will be for the game.

“We’ve got our fingers crossed for everyone.

“I know the kids will be fighting over who gets to keep the cut-out afterwards.”