OXFORD United’s managing director is thrilled with the way the club have pulled together to stop fans missing out on a potentially record-breaking campaign at the Kassam Stadium.

The U’s recently launched the Play It Forward initiative, where supporters and businesses buy season tickets which are then donated to those who may not be able to afford them.

Fans have already got involved in their numbers, while United’s board collectively bought 50 tickets for 2022/23 which are being distributed to those who need them.

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The U’s are closing in on a record number of season tickets at the Kassam Stadium but MD Niall McWilliams knows the cost of living crisis means some people have had to make difficult choices.

“It is a cost of living crisis, there’s no question about that, and it’s having a significant impact on how people live their lives,” he said.

“We just want to work as a community to help people out.

“We’ve always targeted 5,500 season tickets, a record number at the Kassam.

“We’re pleased to say that if we include all the corporate tickets, we’ve already sold over 5,000 season tickets.

“We’re very confident this will be a record-breaking year, but in terms of Play It Forward there’s no particular target number.

“We’ve got to get on the front foot, it’ll be a whole-season initiative and we’re conscious we need to get the timing right.”

Play It Forward was born after one U’s supporter bought two season tickets and asked for them to be given to fans who would otherwise be priced out.

The scheme has developed and the club are working with their official charity, Oxford United in the Community to ensure every ticket finds the right home.

Independent fans’ trust OxVox and Oxford United Supporters Panel are also involved, with McWilliams pleased to see so many members of the U’s community working together.

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He said: “We thought it was a really good idea with people being really charitable, and we just wanted to build on that.

“It’s important to note that our owners have donated 50 season tickets to this initiative and a significant amount have already been allocated.

“We’re working closely with OUSP and OxVox to make sure they go to the right people.

“It was OUSP that came up with the name, so we’re all working closely together and long may that continue.”

United kick-off the Sky Bet League One campaign at Derby County on Saturday, before facing Cambridge United in their first home game the following weekend.

You can contact the club’s ticket office to take part in Play It Forward.