Oxford United Women inspires girls bullied for playing the game

General manager of the Oxford United Women team, Gemma Sims, said it was "full of role models"

A group of young girls who had been bullied for playing football have spent the day with their local team.

Oxford United Women invited the girls - aged eight to 10 - to be their guard of honour at a game at Oxford City's ground.

The invitation came after the team had sent video messages of support to the young players from Summertown Stars.

Martha, who plays in goal for the team, said it was "the best thing" she had ever done.

On Sunday, the girls watched Oxford United Women beat London Bees 3-1 at Court Place Farm.

Gemma Sims, the team's general manager, organised the day for the girls, after hearing they had been picked on at school for playing football.

"Girls can play football just as well, and sometimes even better than the boys," she said.

"We wanted to show them that they can actually have fun."

Ms Sims added that the team was "full of role models" to inspire the young players.

For some of the girls, it was the first football game they had ever attended

The girls described the day as "amazing", "fantastic", "brilliant", "awesome" and said they were "so lucky".

Martha said it was the first football match she had ever attended.

"I was waving the flag while they were coming through," she said.

"It was really nice to see all the players, because I had seen them on video, but never in person. It was a very big thing.

"It has been the best thing I've ever done really."

A mother, who also attended the game, said it made her daughter feel "part of the wider football community".

The young players described watching the club play as "amazing" and said they were "lucky"

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2240.