Oxford united FC
Oxford United boss Bloomfield explains Ruben Roosken absence
The Dutch defender was one of eight additions in the January transfer window, arriving on deadline day from League One outfit Huddersfield Town on loan with an option to buy that could become an obligation should certain conditions be met.
A curious signing, it was thought that Roosken would challenge Jack Currie for a place at left back and, with other left back Greg Leigh omitted from the U’s 25-man squad, it was expected that he would at least occupy a spot on the bench.
However, the 26-year-old has been left out of the last four Championship matchday squads, in which Oxford have gone unbeaten, winning three and drawing their most recent one at home to Charlton Athletic.
“Ruben came in and I thought he did really well at Coventry and then Jack got fit,” Yellows boss Bloomfield explained.
“Jack’s done particularly well this season.
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield disappointed as Oxford United held to draw
“With Brodie Spencer able to play both sides, he’s not been on the bench because of that reason.
READ MORE: Charlton Athletic boss fuming over Oxford United penalty
“We’d rather carry an extra forward on the bench rather than three defenders and Brodie can cover both sides.
“He’s training hard and he’s ready to contribute as and when required.”
Roosken has made three appearances for the U’s with a substitute appearance against Sunderland in the FA Cup and two league appearances against Coventry City and Norwich City.
The 15-year-old died last weekend after collapsing on the pitch during a ‘Junior Premier League’ match last Saturday.
Flowers, scarves and messages were left draped on the bronze ox statue outside the Kassam Stadium.
Oxford City offered its “sincere condolences” to the family of Amelia Aplin and to “our friends” at Oxford United during this “incredibly sad” time.
READ MORE: Oxford United 1-1 Charlton Athletic: Late heartbreak for U’s
This weekend fans paid tribute to Amelia and also former Chelsea goalkeeper Amy Carr who died recently.
Tributes were held at the Subway Women’s League Cup final at Ashton Gate, Bristol, between Chelsea and Manchester United.
Players from Aston Villa and Manchester City also paid tribute at Villa Park.
U’s head coach Matt Bloomfield previously said: “It is devastatingly sad news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Amelia’s family.”
Four U’s names have been included in Northern Ireland’s 28-man squad for their play-off semi-final fixture against Italy.
Brodie Spencer and Ciaron Brown join the defence whilst Jamie McDonnell and Jamie Donley are amongst the midfield picks for the Green and White Army.
Northern Ireland are managed by Blackburn Rovers manager Michael O’Neill whom the Yellows beat 1-0 last week in a huge result amidst a relegation battle in the Championship.
The U’s Northern Irish contingent has doubled since the January additions of McDonnell and Donley.
Meanwhile, Oxford striker Mark Harris has been called up to the Welsh national team as one of Craig Bellamy’s 26-man selection.
READ MORE: Charlton Athletic boss fuming over Oxford United penalty
READ MORE: Oxford United boss Bloomfield explains Ruben Roosken absence
Harris has scored twice for the Yellows this season with a duo of big goals in wins against Ipswich Town and Leicester City, but currently operates as third-choice striker behind Will Lankshear and Nik Prelec.
Wales take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in their play-off semi-final and will face the winners of Northern Ireland and Italy if they are to reach the final, meaning five U’s players could feature in the World Cup play-off final.
The winners of that final will book themselves a place at this year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Vaulks spoke at a ‘Can We Talk?’ workshop held at the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday evening, offering mental health training for 150 attendees and encouraging further discussion.
Speaking personally about his experience with suicide through both of his grandfathers, the 32-year-old was joined by Mike McCarthy, founder of the charity ‘Baton of Hope’ of which Vaulks does a lot of work with, and its clinical director, Ben Wilson.
The charity offers training and a pledge which workplaces can commit to.
“As a footballer, I feel really strongly that every football club should have this,” Vaulks said before the evening.
“Every football club should sign the gold pledge.
“I’m in communication with the PFA, I have been over the last year. I’m very grateful that they’ve also given me some funding and I will be taking that into at least three more football clubs.
“It’s kind of my mission now from the work I’ve seen that young men who are susceptible to so much pressure, so much exposure, that they need support.
READ MORE: Oxford United quintet called up to World Cup qualifiers
“If you make your workplace a psychologically safe place that talks about suicide and is aware of it, then, in turn, that will make your team also more productive on the pitch, I really believe that.”
The former Wales international was awarded the FIFPRO Player Voice Award last November which included a prize fund that covered the cost of the event and provided free suicide awareness training.
Vaulks has also received an additional £10,000 from the PFA to support the expansion and delivery of his project across football clubs.
“We need money as a charity to fund these things. I’m very grateful to FIFPRO for that and I’m very proud that I’m able to put something back in and I know that I’ll leave Oxfordshire, or at least some of our supporters, with more toolkits to help their mental health.
READ MORE: Oxford United star Vaulks wins FIFPRO award for his work
READ MORE: Oxford United boss Bloomfield explains Ruben Roosken absence
“Without being too morbid, the outcome is that we save lives and improve lives.
“I really feel that if my grandfathers had been at something like this and understood that the support was out there or being aware of their mental health, they may well still be here today. That’s the aim.
“And to help as many people as we can to go out into the community and become peer-to-peer support people who can notice signs. The NHS is so overwhelmed that we need to something within the community about it.”
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