Oxford City FC is offering supporters free travel to the club’s Emirates FA Cup first round tie away to Fleetwood Town on Saturday, thanks to backing from the local business community.

The National League South club will make the 400-mile round trip to Highbury Stadium after being drawn against the League One side following their 4-1 triumph over Hornchurch in the competition’s fourth qualifying round.

It marks the fifth time Hoops have advanced to the FA Cup’s first round in the last six seasons. And as an added boost, fans are being invited to travel for free on City’s official supporters coach which will depart from and return to the RAW Charging Stadium.

The trip is being funded jointly by club partners M&M Waste Solutions, Wallers Estate Agents, Ignite Training and RAW Charging.

Justin Merritt, Director of Football at Oxford City FC, hopes the incentive of free travel will encourage more supporters to get behind Ross Jenkins and his squad.

“We are incredibly grateful to M&M Waste Solutions, Wallers Estate Agents and RAW Charging for their generosity in helping us put on free travel for our fans,” said Justin.

“Our first-round tie at Fleetwood is likely to be our longest away trip of the season, and we appreciate travel costs coupled with rising prices to the cost of living can make attending away fixtures difficult financially.

“It’s why providing free travel was something we was keen to explore to not only make the match more accessible to our supporters, but also contribute to a great atmosphere pitch side.

“The FA Cup has been a lucrative competition for the club in recent seasons with two second round appearances in the last five years. We have every intention of adding to that record this season and hope our loyal supporters can play a vital role in achieving our goal.”

Providing free coach travel is the latest initiative to be backed by Oxford and Swindon based estate agency Wallers. The award-winning family-run business first partnered with City in 2020 and opted to extend its Main Stand sponsorship this summer.

M&M Waste Solutions are a key supporter of the club’s female football provisions as principle sponsors of Oxford City’s female pathway. This includes supporting first-team, development centre and students studying the Velocity Football programme.

Rowan Waller, Owner of Wallers Estate Agents, added: “We recognise Oxford City FC is a community-focused, family friendly, club and felt the need to give its supporters the chance to travel to Fleetwood for free.

“It’s been a great priviledge to have grown our relationship with Justin and the club in the past three seasons and we wish Ross Jenkins and the team every success come kick-off.”

Rob Fluckiger, Group Managing Director at M&M Waste Solutions, added: “Reaching the FA Cup first round is a huge achievement for any National League South club.

“We hope our support contributes towards a memorable day for the squad and Oxford City fanbase who play an important role in the team’s success on and off the pitch.”

Bruce Galliford, CEO and founder of Hoops’ front-of-shirt and stadium sponsors RAW Charging, said: “Our partnership with Oxford City FC is of great importance given our close ties to the region where our operation was originally founded.

“We’re so pleased for the squad to have secured an away tie to a well-established Football League club and are proud to support a club with the local community at its heart.”

Supporters should note free coach travel spaces are available on a first come, first served, basis with 60 spaces available to book by clicking here.