Crime & Safety
Football legend part of UK private school’s award-winning team
Monday this week marked 40 years since the U’s beat Queens Park Rangers 3-0 in the Milk Cup final, with Mr Phillips starring in midfield.
When his playing career came to an end, Mr Phillips trained as a greenkeeper at golf courses across Oxfordshire and he has been at Cokethorpe School, near Witney, for the last nine years.
READ MORE: Memories of the U’s Milk Cup win
The school was awarded the Grounds Team of the Year 2026 by the Independent Schools Football Association, an accolade which recognises the work required to maintain the 150-acre site including nine grass rugby and football pitches, three cricket squares, six golf greens, two artificial sports pitches, and tennis courts.
Working alongside head groundsman Simon Hole, Mr Phillips makes up the two-person groundskeeping team at Cokethorpe, with a replacement deputy head groundsperson being sought.
Les Phillips, front row second left in the Milk Cup winning team (Image: Contributed)
Mr Phillips said: “We work hard and Simon is very good at his job. We know what we’ve got to do and we get it done. We’ve got a great team at Cokethorpe, and we all get on really well.
“I take pride in maintaining the pitches and helping inspire the youngsters to get involved and play a variety of sports.”
The school’s demanding sporting calendar requires constant adaptability. From rugby and hockey in the autumn term to football in the spring, followed by cricket and athletics in the summer, the grounds are in near continuous use.
Almost 40 community teams across Oxfordshire also use the pitches.
Since moving to the county to join the Yellows from Birmingham City, London-born Mr Phillips added: “I came to Oxfordshire when I was 21 and I’ve been here ever since. I’m 63 now. It’s a lovely place to live and work.”
Les Phillips before the Milk Cup final (Image: Fortitude Communications)
The career highlight of Mr Phillips’ playing days is undoubtedly the Milk Cup triumph, and United will be marking the victory during their home match against Wrexham tonight.
The former player, who scored in the second leg of the semi-final victory against Aston Villa, said: “It’s a day I’ll never forget. Walking out at Wembley in our suits before the game, we just wanted to get on the pitch and get started.
“It was a great result and a great performance. I still speak to Kevin Brock and Jeremy Charles as they live locally, but it’s been a while for some of the others, so it’ll be good to see old faces. And they will be old faces too.”
Les Phillips at Cokethorpe School near Witney (Image: Fortitude Communications)
Mr Phillips is going to be joined by a new teammate at Cokethorpe, with the school near Witney seeking to appoint a deputy head groundsperson.
The deadline for applications is noon on Thursday, April 30, with early applications encouraged.
Interviews will take place the week commencing Monday, May 4 but may be earlier for suitable candidates. Cokethorpe is looking to appoint as soon as possible.
Cokethorpe is an independent, co-educational day for children aged four to 18, at a 150-acre parkland site near Witney.
Crime & Safety
5 to stand trial after Banbury United football match fight
The incident in question took place after a match at Banbury United on April 12 last year.
Kai Mason, 23, of Lewis Crescent, Wellington, Telford; David Swales, 43, of Marton Drive, Wellington, Telford; Ryan Corbyn, 28, of Barcombe Close, Banbury; Jordan Corbyn, 27, of Barcombe Close, Banbury; and Leighton Broom, 18, of Hodgson Road, Shifnal, Shropshire, appeared at Oxford Crown Court on April 21.
READ MORE: Oxford – Face of offender who upskirted girl in Westgate
All five pleaded not guilty to the single charge of affray.
Oxford Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)
The court heard the incident took place after a football match between Banbury United and AFC Telford United which finished 0-0.
A trial date, with an estimate of five days, was set for May 8, 2028.
Judge Michael Roques said: “I’m afraid we can’t get your trial in until 2028.”
All five men were released on unconditional bail.
Crime & Safety
Clarkson’s Farm star to present new ITV dating show
The 51-year-old Irish former model and actress is Jeremy Clarkson’s girlfriend and helps run the 1,000‑acre Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire.
Ms Hogan has become a fan favourite for her no‑nonsense approach on the hit series.
She previously appeared in films, including Fierce Creatures, before stepping back from acting to raise her three children.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson teases new filming with Top Gear and Grand Tour twist
The 51-year-old joined Mr Clarkson on the Prime Video show when it launched in 2021 and has since taken on a leading role in the farm shop.
Announced on ITV’s This Morning, her new show Farming for Love will see her play cupid for four single farmers from across the UK who are hoping to find a partner to share both their lives and livelihoods.
Viewers were introduced to beef farmer Guy from Wiltshire, North Yorkshire widower Chris, 24‑year‑old dairy farmer Dana and Welsh farmer George, who is on the hunt for a date to his best friend’s wedding.
READ MORE: Clarkson’s Farm series five release date officially confirmed
Hogan urged potential contestants – or their friends and family – to apply if they fancy trading city life for the countryside, saying many farmers struggle to meet someone who understands the demands of the job.
She said the new series will show both the realities of modern farming and the search for love, building on her experience of life at Diddly Squat.
Ms Hogan will continue to appear on Clarkson’s Farm, with the first episodes of the new series five due to be released on Wednesday, June 3.
Crime & Safety
Jeremy Clarkson slams Cotswolds neighbour Simon Cowell
The TV presenter lives in Oxfordshire on a 1,000‑acre farm near Chipping Norton, having bought the land in 2008.
Known as Diddly Squat Farm, the spot sits in the countryside near Chadlington and is known worldwide through his Prime Video series, Clarkson’s Farm.
Similarly, music mogul Mr Cowell also lives in the Cotswolds area nearby with his fiancée, Lauren Silverman, as well as his 12-year-old son, Eric.
READ MORE: Clarkson’s Farm series five release date officially confirmed
The couple first met in 2004 in Barbados, where they got engaged years later on Christmas Eve of 2021.
Mr Cowell is known for his TV appearances as a talent show judge, starring on The X-Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and American Idol over the years.
Now, Mr Clarkson has made a cheeky dig at his famous neighbour during his latest column for The Sunday Times about his trip to Miami, which was published last weekend.
“While Britain still has a dribble of jet fuel, I thought I’d pop to Miami to have a look for myself,” he wrote.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson teases new filming with Top Gear and Grand Tour twist
“It’s been a minute since I was last there, and holy cow. Not even Simon Cowell has changed this much this quickly.”
The 66-year-old will return to screens this summer with the fifth series of Clarkson’s Farm, which is set for an initial release on Wednesday, June 3.
It is expected there will be a total of eight new episodes, which will release across several weeks.
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