"It started off as a joke before Christmas when we got to 600 days... and then I started wearing it. Then people said I should get it sponsored, so I thought I'd raise money for the Joey Beauchamp Foundation, 'why not'?"
"It was a surreal moment, I just threw everything up in the air. The funniest moment for me was when two of my friends came down to see me and walked straight past me and didn't realise it was with me without my beard on."
"I'm glad that we finally got a penalty, and also that there's been some money put towards a good cause."
Oxford United were awarded their first penalty in 675 days on Saturday at the Kassam Stadium, ending a drought that began under previous manager Des Buckingham. Fan Gary Hudson, known as Fred Big-Ox, had worn a yellow wig and blue beard to matches since reaching 600 days without a penalty, initially as a joke before securing sponsorship to raise money for The Joey Beauchamp Foundation, a mental health charity honoring one of United's greatest players. Cameron Brannagan scored the penalty, prompting Gary to shave his real beard live on BBC Radio Oxford on Monday morning. Manager Matt Bloomfield praised Gary's fundraising efforts as a fantastic gesture supporting a good cause.
Read at www.bbc.com
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