Manor Ground, Oxford United: Old Grounds Remembered (X)

[jdrobbo]

Today's Old Ground Remembered takes us to Oxford's old Manor Ground Stadium: a ground where I call us being thrashed 5-0, but also the place where messrs, Davis and Weller, scored two late goals that acted as a huge catalyst in our end of season charge to automatic promotion in 2000. The equaliser from Steve Davis that day, was one of the finest headed goals that I can recall.

If you have any of your own personal memories of the ground, or anecdotes of day trips down to Oxford for the football, please feel free to share.

Other grounds covered in the series listed below.

Cheers!

John

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PREVIOUSLY…

1. Burnden Park, Bolton Wanderers: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=77997

2. Boothferry Park, Hull City: viewtopic.php?style=2&t=78030

3. Ninian Park, Cardiff City: viewtopic.php?t=78417

4. Millmoor, Rotherham: viewtopic.php?t=78578

5. Baseball Ground, Derby Co: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=78841

6. Leeds Road, Huddersfield Town: viewtopic.php?style=2&f=2&t=79024&p=246 ... d#p2469426

7. Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough: viewtopic.php?style=2&f=2&t=79157

8. Victoria Ground, Stoke City: viewtopic.php?style=2&f=2&t=79220&p=247 ... d#p2475503

9. Elm Park, Reading FC: viewtopic.php?style=2&f=2&t=79379

[Cajun]

First visit there was in 1980 after we’d dropped into the 3rd Division for first time, and I remember we had three Saturday away trips on the run to Newport, Swindon and Oxford that we won, not sure if in that order though. Did those 3 away days jammed into a pal’s Mini Stood on the open end in a thin crowd at Oxford and for some reason can still recall thinking how bad Oxford were and that we had nothing to beat,

[Woodleyclaret]

I went several times including watching Everton in a cup match when Inchy Heath nicked a late equaliser. Then I took a mini bus load of kids to watch the replay up to Goodison and Oxford got hammered

[aclaretinstevenage]

https://youtu.be/MTtzjk3dK0g

We were in the little "shed" in the corner for this game. Proper game.

[jdrobbo]

Such a good header!!?

[aclaretinstevenage]

Such a good header!!?

And Wrighty's energy in getting to the ball then delivering a great cross.........the bench seemed pleased with it to!

[jdrobbo]

Here’s the 5-0 thrashing.

Joey Beauchamp was great for them: sadly no longer with us. RIP

https://youtu.be/6_A_sXm8kl0?si=5gx7o3WwdfnAS1LR

[Rowls]

Never saw Burnley here but did manage a visit to watch Everton in the league cup.

Oxford we're handing out printed pieces of paper kindly asking their supporters to refrain from swearing. Quaint.

[jdrobbo]

Rocky wouldn’t have lasted five minutes!

[quoonbeatz]

Such a good header!!?

Think I’ve only seen Charlie Austin score from further out with his swede.

[IanMcL]

First visit was for a cup match. A very young, spindle legged Leighton James on the wing. My dad took me. We lost! Ouch.

I also remember when the fence was there to keep fans off the pitch. Ian Wright chasing a lost cause and getting the ball just, at the corner flag. Cross and we scored. One our young players jumped up to the top of the fence shaking a clenched hand at all the fans, in sheer pleasure.

[MrTopTier]

Not a particularly nice ground. Horrible fences in the away end.

I remember the 5-0 thrashing we got there.
Not because I went, but the stories that came after.
The coach was left in a car park after the game as the lads on it were going round Oxford on a stag do. When they got back to the coach later that evening. Every window had been smashed.

We were playing a football tournament the day after and a few lads on the coach didn’t make it. I also recall hitting a shot in one of the games which went wide of the post but managed to hit a guy carrying a tray with beers on.

[Culmclaret]

By the standards of the day it was an ‘out of town’ ground. A bloody long walk from the station to Headington! Paul Weller header was the best moment I can remember there. In 83/84 we came back to snatch a 2-2 draw with Flynny putting in a last minute speculative cross which sailed into the net. One of the grounds we played at in our third (white) kit in 81/82. That was a poor game but the point was vital in the final reckoning.

[Culmclaret]

Ps. Worst moment was Hansbury being hit by a (then new fangled) pound coin in the 84 FA Cup replay!

[Herts Clarets]

I went several times including watching Everton in a cup match when Inchy Heath nicked a late equaliser. Then I took a mini bus load of kids to watch the replay up to Goodison and Oxford got hammered

When I worked in the Sponsors/Guest Lounge mid 90s, I was walking down the corridor that led to the bars ready to start my shift one Saturday afternoon, As I walked down, I heard a very familiar voice and he was discussing that late equaliser with Inchy, who often came in the bar and watched Football Focus (always handy for early team news!). As I turned into the bar, I realised that familar voice was none other than, what I consider the best football commentator ever, Barry Davies. He and Inchy said that goal from a mis placed Kevin Brock pass probably saved Howard Kendall's job as he was under huge pressure at the time. Everton went on to win the FA Cup that season, beating Watford 2-0 at Wembley and the following 2 or 3 years saw Everton reach 2 more FA Cup finals, win the First Division title twice and the European CUp Winners Cup once. Small margins, as one of our former Managers used to say.....

[Buxtonclaret]

Might be wrong, but think there's a hospital on the site now.
And the access road is called 'Blackburn Close'.

[Broadsword]

I remember the 5-0 thrashing all too well as I’d been invited into hospitality by the match ball sponsor. Oh how i enjoyed being photographed handing the match ball to Paul Moody who'd scored a hattrick. Never had to force a smile so much..

[dougcollins]

Large amounts of Wadsworth's 6X in the pub over the road couldn't dispel the misery of the 5-0.

Who was it, Moody? Bloody hell.

Another horrible 'glad it's gone' away end. Always reminded me of a circus cage.

[Inchy]

They went from having about 10 stands to 3