HIS face beaming with delight and an Oxford United scarf wrapped around his neck, Afghanistan bomb victim Jack Cummings returned to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday to a hero’s welcome.

The 22-year-old Didcot sapper was the guest of honour at Oxford United’s Military Day at the game with Hereford United. The United fan lost both his legs and suffered serious injuries to his left hand from an improvised explosive device on August 14 last year.

Mr Cummings, of 101 Engineer Regiment, which specialises in bomb disposal, watched United’s 2-0 defeat from a private box with chairman Kelvin Thomas.

He chatted to manager Chris Wilder and was given a shirt signed by the players and two season tickets.

Hundreds of servicemen were also given free match tickets and the game had an extra poignancy as Hereford is the home of the SAS regiment.

Mr Cummings, who attended with his girlfriend of two years Sarah Hoare, said: “It’s brilliant to be here today, I’m finally getting out and that feels great.”

He said: “As a couple, we haven’t been out in months, so it’s nice to get out as a normal boyfriend and girlfriend for once. We don’t get to have that kind of fun much at the moment, so it means a lot.”

The former St Birinus School, Didcot, pupil said he had felt “isolated” at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham but was happier after spending three weeks at Headley Court Military Hospital, Surrey.

He said: “It’s absolutely brilliant. It’s like being back in the services with a routine again, which is what I love.

“I’m back with the lads and all the banter, which is what a squaddie enjoys the most.”

He will soon return home to parents, Andy and Sarah, and sister, Annie, for the first time since the blast.

Mr Cummings said: “It’s going to be a bit emotional. I think they’re organising a party for me. I can’t wait to go back, it’s my home.”

He said: “The support I’ve had from my family and Sarah has been overwhelming. My parents and my sister lived in Birmingham the whole time I was there, and Sarah came up every weekend. They were all absolutely amazing, so I’m treating everyone on a holiday to Las Vegas later this year to say thank you.”

He added: “I don’t know what my future plans are yet, it’s just about taking one day at a time.”

U’s fan Dave Cudd, 53, said: “There was a wonderful reaction from both sides of supporters. People appreciate what the Army do. They felt sorry for the sapper but really proud of him.”

Mr Thomas said: “It was an honour to welcome Jack to the stadium for Military Day. We are delighted that he could attend.

“Despite the result, we would be delighted to see Jack here supporting the club for the rest of the season and beyond.”

Private Simon Head, of 12 Logistic Support Regiment RLC, based at Dalton Barracks, near Abingdon, who was wounded in Afghanistan, presented the match ball to the ref before kick-off.

l Speaking before his Kassam Stadium visit of the incident in which he was injured, Mr Cummings said: “I was out on patrol and just remember a bang.

“As I was injured I was slipping in and out of consciousness and can even remember talking to some of my mates while I was lying there, although it was all a bit hazy. Then I remember nothing more until a month later when I woke up in hospital back in England.”

He said: “I’ll soon be learning to walk again with artificial limbs, they’re small ones to start off with and then you progress the larger ones. To start with I’ll just be quite a bit smaller than I was!”