Oxford News
Argentina legend Diego Maradona visited Oxford University
The world-famous Oxford University debating chamber invited the Argentinian international to speak in November of 1995.
It’s one of a number of photos from that year we have found in the Oxford Mail archive.
Maradona, the creative linchpin of the Argentina side that won the 1986 World Cup and former national team manager, died aged 60 in November of 2020.
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The Oxford Union has played host to many famous names over the years but securing the visit of Maradona was an achievement at the time.
With a distinctive blond streak dyed into his hair, Maradona kept his audience entertained with stories illustrating his love for the game.
Speaking years later in his autobiography, first published in Spanish in 2000 and in English in 2004, the legendary player spoke about his trip to Oxford.
“The best reply was given not by me but by the prestigious Oxford University,” Maradona wrote.
“I was invited to speak at the Union there, and the recognition from such an eminent place really was one of the greatest joys of my life.
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“I made an enormous effort to be there. I landed in London, and a minibus took us to Oxford.
“Finally, I found myself standing in front of a load of students from all over the world who applauded me as if I’d just scored the best goal of my life.”
At the time, with the help of a translator, he told invited guests in the debating chamber that he was “born on a football pitch in the 1960s with a football secured between his teeth and the Argentinian national team on his back”.
He said at the time: “I come from a humble shanty town on the outskirts of Buenos Aires.
“It was on this little field that I began to practise, in friendly neighbourhood games between friends.
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“‘Football player’ – I would dream in those days – what awesome words they were – I became obsessed by them.
“These words were: I knew my goal, my destiny, what I wanted to be when I grew up.”
Maradona went on to tell students about the important relationship between players and the fans.
He added: “All the famous players back then were my idols.
“I could not understand how they could entertain thousands of people weekend after weekend and still be themselves.
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“I was always absorbed by the wonders they worked with the ball – I was thrilled when they waved to the fans or scored a goal.”
Maradona said football gave him “such a rush of joy as it did to all the fans”.
“This rush was provoked by something that indeed I can’t really explain,” he added at the time.
Maradona is remembered by many for his ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
Argentina won the game 2-1, thanks to a second goal by Maradona dubbed the goal of the century.
Officers have closed off Donnington Bridge at the junction with Townsend Square following a crash in the late hours of yesterday night (Tuesday, August 4).
A police presence has been at the scene since last night and is continuing into the early hours of today (Wednesday, August 5).
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The road has been closed with a cordon of police tape now in place preventing vehicles from passing through, and multiple police vehicles are at the scene.
In a breaking news alert just after midnight, Thames Valley Police announced that a crash had occurred and appealed for those with information to come forward.
A spokesperson for the police force said: “Donnington Bridge Road is currently closed at the junction with Townsend Square following a collision.
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“Any drivers should avoid the area as much as possible, and we will provide more information when we can.
“Anyone with information or footage related to the collision should call 101 or make a report online, quoting reference 2801 of yesterday.”
An eyewitness who wished to remain anonymous told this newspaper: “It looks quite scary from a distance.
“I can see a motorcycle on the pavement and a car nearby.”
Stand By Me: Bob Harris – A Celebration Of Life In Music will take place in London on December 2.
The one-off show will also include performances by Rick Wakeman, Carly Pearce, Chris Difford, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Judie Tzuke, Kate Rusby, The Shires, Kezia Gill and Toby Lee.
READ MORE: Broadcasting legend leaves BBC radio
In June, it was announced that the broadcaster, who lives in Steventon, near Abingdon, was standing down from hosting his Radio 2 shows Sounds Of The 70s and Radio 2 Country because of ill health.
The radio veteran, 80, has prostate cancer and in April he revealed it has spread to his upper spine.
Mr Harris said at the time leaving his shows has been “one of the hardest decisions of my life”.
He added: “It’s incredible to think that my broadcasting career has spanned almost 56 years. I am very fortunate to have spent my entire working life doing something I love so much.
“I am a massive BBC loyalist, and I’m grateful that I have always been given the freedom to build my programmes in my own way.
“Most of my time on air has been spent with my fabulous family at Radio 2 and it has been such a joy to broadcast on this world-class radio station.
“I am so proud that the Radio 2 Country Show has played such a massive part in propelling country to become the fastest-growing music genre in the UK, and presenting Sounds Of The 70s on Sunday afternoons has been a real pleasure and made my time here the most special of my entire life.
“But more than anything, I want to say thank you to my listeners. I have put everything I have into every show I’ve ever done, and it’s all been because of you. Your love and loyalty mean more to me than words can ever say.
“I am so sorry that my health issues are forcing me to step down, but I realise that I must concentrate on getting myself well again.
“This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I would never want to be doing programmes knowing that I am unable to give you 100 per cent.”
Following the announcement regarding the show, Bob Harris said he was honoured.
He told The Standard: “I’ve been blessed and honoured to have been there with all these artists right at the beginning of their careers, so we all have long working relationships and deep friendships.
“I truly love the Royal Albert Hall too. I first began attending concerts there in 1968, and it is, to me, the most beautiful and prestigious venue in Britain.
“So I feel so honoured to have these wonderful artists with me onstage at my favourite venue. Bringing this music together for Stand By Me is the realisation of a dream.”
The event will also feature broadcasting and music industry figures on stage to present the show and share their memories of Harris.
The daughter of former footballer David and ex Spice Girl Victoria lives with her family in Oxfordshire.
She had been working on a skincare line inspired by Korean beauty, initially branded HIKU by Harper and aimed at Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers.
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However, according to cosmetics industry reports and US filings, the US Patent and Trademark Office refused her first application in July “because of a likelihood of confusion” with existing trademarks already registered in the country.
Documents cited by cosmeticsbusiness.com show that “Hiku” is already protected for personal care products and fragrances, while “Harper” appears on the register for cleaning products such as brooms and scrubbing brushes – blocking the path for “HIKU by Harper” in those categories.
Coverage of the setback notes that Harper had six months to respond to the provisional refusal if she wants to challenge the decision or narrow the scope of the American filing.
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Yet, now, she is pursuing a new brand, this time focused around make-up and called Harlo by Harper.
According to The Sun, the teenager has lodged papers with the US Patent and Trademark Office asking to be granted sole rights to use the name and with the UK’s Intellectual Property Office to trademark the brand.
The aim is to launch the brand at some point next year, as the only daughter of the Beckhams seeks to build a beauty empire.
A source for the paper added that Victoria has been “guiding her every step of the way”.
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