KEVIN Smith is hoping to have a clearer head for Oxford’s second trip to Wembley in 24 years.

In 1986 the keen rugby player went to the Milk Cup Final despite suffering from concussion.

As a 32-year-old, the U’s fan was taken to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital on the eve of the big game after a serious clash of heads playing for Bicester Rugby Club.

It looked like Mr Smith, from Arncott near Bicester, would miss the big game as he was kept in overnight for observation.

He was discharged from hospital at 10am on the day of the game and went to watch it with six members of his family including son, Jason, nine, and nephew, Brendan Holmes, 10.

He almost suffered another bump on the head during the game when the fan next to him went wild after Trevor Hebberd netted the first goal. The fan scooped £2,500 betting the midfielder would score first at odds of 25-1.

However, the fan got a bashing from the handbag of Mr Smith’s mother-in-law Audrey, who was concerned about his safety.

Mr Smith, now 56, said: “The whole crowd erupted when we scored the first but I didn’t because I felt pretty rough.

“I only just about got to the game because my head was very sore and I had a big egg on the front of my head.

“It was a great, great day. I was just glad I made it because it’s a part of Oxford’s history.

“It was also a brilliant game of football and although I was concussed I was fully coherent and remember the game well.”

FOR Paul Scaysbrook getting to the 1986 Milk Cup Final was a marathon effort – literally.

As an energetic 24-year-old he had to push his way along the 26.2 mile London Marathon course before he could watch Oxford United’s Wembley showdown with Queens Park Rangers.

Mr Scaysbrook, who suffers from spina bifida, was interviewed wearing his U’s top and horn hat during the race by BBC presenter Bob Wilson who presumed the United fan was going to miss the game.

However, the former Arsenal goalkeeper had underestimated Mr Scaysbrook’s determination.

Bad weather added an extra hour and a half to his time and when Mr Scaysbrook reached the finish line exhausted at 1.30pm he still faced a race against time to get across London for the kick-off.

By the time he arrived with his wife Sharon, and brother Steve, it was just before half-time and the U’s were 1-0 up.

On Sunday Mr Scaysbrook, of Beagle Close, Abingdon, will travel to the game with 13 family members, including his eight-year-old son Jack.

He said: “What a day to remember. Hopefully this Sunday will be the same but without missing the first half and having to push 26 miles beforehand.

“I was very conscious doing the marathon because it was raining my hands kept slipping on the rims of my chair, and I knew I was running tight for time.

“It was a toss-up between pulling out the marathon altogether and going straight to the final, but I had sponsorship money to raise.”

The 48-year-old, who has been a season ticket holder since 1984, aims to arrive at Wembley by 1.30pm this year.

He said: “The atmosphere was fantastic at the end but it was annoying to miss out on the build-up and the anticipation of the game.

“We’re hoping it runs smoother this weekend and isn’t so stressful.”

KENNY Adams is hoping ‘Ted’ the teddy bear will be the U’s lucky charm again as he gets set for his second Wembley date in 24 years.

Mr Adam’s blue bear with a yellow Oxford United badge was recently rediscovered in the attic and has been dusted down for his second U’s match.

Mr Adams, 51, who will be among 52 regulars from The Crown in Chalgrove taking a coach to the game on Sunday, said: “He’s been once to Wembley and brought luck – and he’s going back so hopefully he’ll bring us luck again.

“There was a fantastic build-up in the ground in 1986, it was a beautiful sunny day and Wembley was a sea of blue and yellow.”