Forty years after playing a key role in Oxford United’s greatest triumph at Wembley, Les Phillips is once again celebrating success – this time as part of the groundskeeping team at Cokethorpe School.
April 20 marks four decades since Oxford United defeated Queens Park Rangers 3-0 in the Milk Cup final, with Mr Phillips starring in midfield during the historic victory. Now aged 63, he has built a second career maintaining sports grounds across Oxfordshire, spending the past nine years at Cokethorpe.
The school’s grounds team has recently been named Grounds Team of the Year 2026 by the Independent Schools Football Association.
The award recognises the extensive work required to maintain Cokethorpe’s 150-acre site, which includes 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 forms part of a two-person team responsible for preparing and maintaining facilities used throughout the year. The school is currently seeking a new Deputy Head Groundsperson to join the team.
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.”
Cokethorpe’s busy sporting calendar demands constant attention, with rugby and hockey in the autumn term, football in the spring, and cricket and athletics in the summer. In addition, nearly 40 community teams from across Oxfordshire regularly use the school’s facilities.
Having moved to Oxfordshire at the age of 21 after joining Oxford United from Birmingham City, Mr Phillips has remained in the county ever since.
He said: “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.”
Despite his achievements in groundskeeping, his football career remains a defining chapter. Oxford United will commemorate the Milk Cup victory during their home match against Wrexham AFC on Tuesday 21 April.
Mr Phillips, who scored in the second leg of the semi-final 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!”
Cokethorpe School, near Witney, continues to seek applications for the Deputy Head Groundsperson role, with interviews scheduled from early May.
