Liverpool legend Graeme Souness wins charity cup in Oxford

The charity fixtures, held at the MGroup Stadium, was in aid of the charity ‘DEBRA’ which supports people living with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), also known as butterfly skin.

The matches featured football legends such as Souness, Matt Le Tissier and Dean Saunders, with others, like former Manchester United defender Wes Brown, in attendance.

The day was split into two semi-finals and a final with four teams involved: DEBRA Legends, Three Horseshoes Legends, Oxfordshire Legends and Oxford United Legends.

Team DEBRA was managed by former Liverpool midfielder, Souness, and former U’s 1995/96 promotion-winning manager Dennis Smith.

Oxford City host the Three Horseshoes Charity Cup for Debra (Image: Newsquest)

Three Horseshoes were led by Adie Foggett and Ben Reardon whilst former Yellows player and manager Mark Wright managed the Oxford United Legends along with former U’s player and Oxford City manager Mike Ford.

Oxfordshire Legends were managed by Andy Slater and Justin Merritt.

DEBRA and Three Horseshoes faced off in the first match as Souness’ side ran out 2-0 winners.

The United legends then triumphed over the Oxfordshire Legends, with former U’s men Matt Green and Matty Taylor scoring in a 2-1 win whilst Oxfordshire journeyman Eddie Odhiambo bagged for the losing team.

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A final match-up saw DEBRA take one the U’s legends.

Green bagged his second goal of the tournament, rounding the goalkeeper to put the Yellows one up.

Former West Ham United man and Oxford-born Matt Taylor equalised for DEBRA shortly after, before ex-U’s winger Chris Allen put the United legends back in front.

It looked like the Oxford United heroes had won the day with moments left, but Dean Windass had other ideas, tapping home at the back post to make it 2-2 and take the final to penalties.

After a mixed first five spot kicks for either team, the shootout entered sudden death.

Aston Villa youth goalkeeper made a big save before DEBRA scored to win the trophy.

Graeme Souness speaks at Oxford City FC (Image: Newsquest)

In support of the day and of the DEBRA charity, three-time European Cup winner Souness said: “I’ve been involved with Debra for seven years, and it’s only now that we’ve started to make inroads and help these children.

“We’re now repurposing drugs, these are drugs for skin conditions that are already on the market, we’re repurposing them, and we’re getting results with it.

“Footballers get much criticised, in some cases deservedly so, but the vast majority do the bit, they go beyond the college, they do charity work that goes unseen.”