Oxford United legend winning awards at Cokethorpe School 40 years after football club’s greatest triumph
Forty years after starring on Wembley’s hallowed turf in Oxford United’s greatest triumph, Les Phillips is now winning awards as part of Cokethorpe School’s groundskeeping team.
April 20th, marks 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 has been at Cokethorpe for the last nine years.
Cokethorpe was recently 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 current two-person groundskeeping team at Cokethorpe, with a replacement Deputy Head Groundsperson being sought.
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.
Meanwhile, 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 has developed a strong connection with the area he has called home for more than 40 years.
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.”
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 AFC on Tuesday 21st April.
Mr Phillips, 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!”
Mr Phillips is set 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 midday on Thursday 30th April, with early applications encouraged. Interviews will take place the week commencing Monday 4th May 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, located on a beautiful 150-acre parkland site near Witney.
