CHRISTIAN OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN can follow in his famous brother’s footsteps – by winning a league title.
It may not be the stature of the Premier League crown Alex lifted with Liverpool five years ago — but his team Truro City can win the National League South by beating St Albans City.
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That would make them the first Cornish team ever to get within one tier of the EFL.
Incredibly they are one of SIX clubs who can win the title going into the final day.
Truro lead Devon rivals Torquay on goal difference by just two with Eastbourne, Worthing, Boreham Wood and Dorking all in with a shout.
And Oxlade-Chamberlain, 26, told SunSport: “If we were to get the job done, it’ll be the biggest achievement of my career.
“Everyone is so excited down here because we’re on the brink of making history for Truro and the whole of Cornwall.
“We’ve been getting some great crowds this season — averaging just under 1,800 — with amazing atmospheres.
“We got more than 3,300 for the Torquay game last Friday. It’s a sellout on Saturday and hopefully we can make the city proud.”
Ironically, Oxlade-Chamberlain is on a season-long loan from Kidderminster, who lead the National North going into the final game.
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Even his brother — currently playing in Turkey for Besiktas — has been eagerly following Truro’s fortunes, watching highlights on YouTube.
But Oxlade-Chamberlain laughed: “When we let a goal in against Torquay, he texted me, ‘What were you doing? Crap defending.’ He deleted the word ‘Crap’ and admitted he was a bit harsh!
“Alex is a lot more forceful with his advice and opinion than my dad. He hasn’t been over to a game yet. They don’t do flights from Istanbul to Newquay!”
Oxlade-Chamberlain is lucky to have both a brother and dad who have not only played at the top level but for England too.
Mark Chamberlain played in the top division for Stoke, Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth as well as won eight caps, scoring one goal.
While Alex played for Arsenal and Liverpool, winning 35 caps and scoring seven goals.
Oxlade-Chamberlain said: “They’ve both been an inspiration.My dad is a great coach. I remember once playing against Aldershot for Portsmouth’s youth side and I kept giving the ball away so stopped trying to get on it.
“Afterwards driving home, he said, ‘Never hide again. Always get on the ball and try to do the right things, don’t be frightened to make mistakes.’
They’ve both been an inspiration
Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain
“It was pretty cool watching Alex come through and going to all the big stadiums. It inspired me to want to be a footballer.
“We used to play together as kids on a big field near our house and when he was at Southampton I’d pick up the cones and balls after training.
“They had players like Luke Shaw, Harrison Reed and Calum Chambers coming through at the time.
“The biggest thing I admire about my dad was the way he stood up to racism as a player.
“He’s told me stories about Millwall fans lobbing bananas at him and he’d pick one up and eat it! That is so resilient.
“While my brother, the way he has bounced back from so many injuries. It gets harder but he stays professional, does rehab and gets back. He’s a strong person.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain came through the ranks at Portsmouth before moving to Notts County before they got relegated into the National League.
He has done the non-league hard yards with Gosport, Aldershot, King’s Lynn and Kidderminster.
And he said: “I made a couple of appearances for Notts County in the League and it would be great to get back to that level again.
“To win a title on Saturday would be something to be proud of.”
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