Oxford United

[ClaretsPadiham]

Hoping they come up, a team a lot won’t have seen us play and a new away ground for many next season.

A team we have only ever played 17 times.

[NickBFC]

Saw us once at the Manor in the Div 2 promotion season. Not been to their 'new' ground.

[dougcollins]

Not sure if it's the last time we played them, but the last time I went we got battered 5-0.

That was the old Manor Ground at Headington.

[Inchy]

Although the 3 sided ground is relatively young, Oxford are looking at building a new stadium. Not sure why, they haven’t finished the current stadium yet

[ClaretsPadiham]

I should have said new away ground for us all ! As the Kassam opened in 2001 and we’ve not played them since 2000.

[matttheclaret]

Don't think we've played them at all since the 2000 promotion season when Paul Weller scored a last minute winner

[dougcollins]

Don't think we've played them at all since the 2000 promotion season when Paul Weller scored a last minute winner

Yes , just checked. The 5-0 was 1996.

[claptrappers_union]

Last time we played them at the Turf was last game before the Millennium, were we won 3-2

We won the away fixture 2-1

[hetheclaret]

I grew up just outside of Oxford and still live there - Oxford Burnley hasn’t happened since I started supporting the clarets, would love it if they met in the league. Oxford are my no.2 team

It’s a great club that has suffered at the hands of a rotten owner for many years - long after he actually sold the club.

Once they get their new stadium they have a bright future.

[claretburns]

If they do come up it will mean they have beaten Bolton in the play off final which will be even better.

[AmbleClaret]

I think I remember watching us there when Chrichton was in goal and kicked every ball at his feet out of the ground, nearly. I might be wrong.

[dougcollins]

I think I remember watching us there when Chrichton was in goal and kicked every ball at his feet out of the ground, nearly. I might be wrong.

I used to like Honourable.

[TsarBomba]

Snatching a late win in our promotion season at Oxford, despite getting drenched, is one of my favourite ever claret memories.

Lived in Reading for a time so took in a game at the Kassam, around 2011/12. Sat with the home fans who were a friendly bunch.

Hopefully they do Bolton in the final.

[AfloatinClaret]

We played at Oxford twice quite close together in the mid 80s, drew in the league and lost in the cup - don't remember which cup. I was living near Camberley so it would've been a year between 83 and 86

[Woodleyclaret]

We played Oxford in the FA cup when Ron Atkinson and his brother were in the team
Ist game pp because of snow but we played midweek and lost with Tony Waiters in goal

[RHansburyEsq]

Went in the home end many a time at the manor ground in the 90s and liked their fans. Insults to the ref and opposition very similar to ours but with an Oxford accent (proper local not posh) sounded hilarious to me. A good club. Only been to the kassam once and thought it was souless.

[alboclaret]

Don't think we've played them at all since the 2000 promotion season when Paul Weller scored a last minute winner

Great day out

[bfcfan1882]

Been to the Manor. Fingers crossed for a trip to the new ground.

[alboclaret]

Snatching a late win in our promotion season at Oxford, despite getting drenched, is one of my favourite ever claret memories.

Lived in Reading for a time so took in a game at the Kassam, around 2011/12. Sat with the home fans who were a friendly bunch.

Hopefully they do Bolton in the final.

Was fantastic.
We had only just got level a few mins earlier

[alboclaret]

Snatching a late win in our promotion season at Oxford, despite getting drenched, is one of my favourite ever claret memories.

Lived in Reading for a time so took in a game at the Kassam, around 2011/12. Sat with the home fans who were a friendly bunch.

Hopefully they do Bolton in the final.

Cardiff away win
Home win (forgotten who)
Oxford away win

3 game stretch that really got us believing I remember

[Silkyskills1]

If they do come up it will mean they have beaten Bolton in the play off final which will be even better.

Based on the 2nd half I saw on tv tonight that's not likely to happen. Good to see MacAnthony with his head in his hands though!

[MG70]

Not sure if it's the last time we played them, but the last time I went we got battered 5-0.

That was the old Manor Ground at Headington.

Me too, but all I can remember about the game is every time we lost the ball( a lot ) some dickhead would shout “end of break”. He got pelters for it eventually, as everyone got sick of him.

[ClaretTony]

Don't think we've played them at all since the 2000 promotion season when Paul Weller scored a last minute winner

That was the last time

[ClaretTony]

We played Oxford in the FA cup when Ron Atkinson and his brother were in the team
Ist game pp because of snow but we played midweek and lost with Tony Waiters in goal

Waiters was brilliant that night. It had been called off on the Saturday because of a frozen pitch.

[ClaretsPadiham]

That was the last time

Just out of interest Tony how many grounds out of the current 92 have we not played at ? Can’t be too many.

Bromley getting added to the list next season.

[CaptJohn]

We played Oxford in the FA cup when Ron Atkinson and his brother were in the team
Ist game pp because of snow but we played midweek and lost with Tony Waiters in goal

We got to the ground only to be told it had been pp The good old days

[Fretters]

Their lease at the Kassam expires in 2026 and they have 'no hope' of renewing it, or so I've just read, which is why they're building another one.

Better be quick if you want to go to this one!

[Poulton-le-Claret]

Just out of interest Tony how many grounds out of the current 92 have we not played at ? Can’t be too many.

Bromley getting added to the list next season.

I want to say Fleetwood is one we've never played a competitive game at?

[ChrisG]

Was fantastic.
We had only just got level a few mins earlier

I was in the Sidewalk next to the bus station watching Soccer Saturday, the place went absolutely mental when the equaliser went it, and it hadn't really calmed down when the winner went in. Ale everywhere.

[hetheclaret]

Their lease at the Kassam expires in 2026 and they have 'no hope' of renewing it, or so I've just read, which is why they're building another one.

Better be quick if you want to go to this one!

It's a legacy of their former owner, Firoz Kassam, a horrible bloke by all accounts (I used to work for him and can personally vouch for that).

He had a hissy fit about not being loved and adored by the supporters (probably because he used the club as a cash cow for years and couldn't be bothered to finish building the stadium he named after himself).

For many years after Kassam left Oxford's chair Darryl Eales (who got them out of the Conference and back into league 1) tried to buy the stadium for the club, at well over market value - Kassam publicly said he would sell to anyone BUT the club.

That's why they are so desperate to get this new stadium, which has passed a few hurdles but I believe still needs final planning permission. Oxford has a large fan base and is in a part of the country with few professional football clubs (compare it to Lancashire, for example!), but is hamstrung by not owning their own stadium. They will easily sell their half of Wembley next weekend. They did so in 2010 at the Conference play off final vs York.

Otherwise they face the prospect of having to play away from Oxford - options would be ground shares with Coventry, Reading or MK Dons, with Reading most likely given rail options.

[ClaretTony]

Just out of interest Tony how many grounds out of the current 92 have we not played at ? Can’t be too many.

Bromley getting added to the list next season.

I've seen us play league games at all of them except

Accrington - League Cup & friendlies
Barrow - reserve friendly
Bromley - no game
Burton - League Cup
Cheltenham - FA Cup
Chesterfield - friendly at current ground
Colchester - U23 game at new ground
Crawley - no game
Fleetwood - friendlies
Harrogate - no game for me but we did play a reserve friendly there a few years ago
Morecambe - League Cup and friendlies
Newport - not at current ground
Oxford - not at current ground
Salford - League Cup
Shrewsbury - League Cup and friendly at current ground
Stevenage - no game
Wimbledon - not at current ground

[Dark Cloud]

I wouldn't be booking my train to Oxford just yet, as surely Bolton will be favourites at Wembley.

[TopCat]

I wouldn't be booking my train to Oxford just yet, as surely Bolton will be favourites at Wembley.

And not with all the stupid kick off times we will be dealing with.
I am sure we can expect less Saturday 3pm games than most.

[Fretters]

It's a legacy of their former owner, Firoz Kassam, a horrible bloke by all accounts (I used to work for him and can personally vouch for that).

He had a hissy fit about not being loved and adored by the supporters (probably because he used the club as a cash cow for years and couldn't be bothered to finish building the stadium he named after himself).

For many years after Kassam left Oxford's chair Darryl Eales (who got them out of the Conference and back into league 1) tried to buy the stadium for the club, at well over market value - Kassam publicly said he would sell to anyone BUT the club.

That's why they are so desperate to get this new stadium, which has passed a few hurdles but I believe still needs final planning permission. Oxford has a large fan base and is in a part of the country with few professional football clubs (compare it to Lancashire, for example!), but is hamstrung by not owning their own stadium. They will easily sell their half of Wembley next weekend. They did so in 2010 at the Conference play off final vs York.

Otherwise they face the prospect of having to play away from Oxford - options would be ground shares with Coventry, Reading or MK Dons, with Reading most likely given rail options.

I read that he named it after himself to 'demonstrate his commitment to the club'

[hetheclaret]

I read that he named it after himself to 'demonstrate his commitment to the club'

Yep!

He also sold the old Manor Ground site for a healthy profit (I think he made about £10m), and didn't give a penny of that to the club. It's now Manor Hospital.

[Foshiznik]

It's a legacy of their former owner, Firoz Kassam, a horrible bloke by all accounts (I used to work for him and can personally vouch for that).

He had a hissy fit about not being loved and adored by the supporters (probably because he used the club as a cash cow for years and couldn't be bothered to finish building the stadium he named after himself).

For many years after Kassam left Oxford's chair Darryl Eales (who got them out of the Conference and back into league 1) tried to buy the stadium for the club, at well over market value - Kassam publicly said he would sell to anyone BUT the club.

That's why they are so desperate to get this new stadium, which has passed a few hurdles but I believe still needs final planning permission. Oxford has a large fan base and is in a part of the country with few professional football clubs (compare it to Lancashire, for example!), but is hamstrung by not owning their own stadium. They will easily sell their half of Wembley next weekend. They did so in 2010 at the Conference play off final vs York.

Otherwise they face the prospect of having to play away from Oxford - options would be ground shares with Coventry, Reading or MK Dons, with Reading most likely given rail options.

Could play at the RAW Charging Stadium and share with their City rivals!

[claretonthecoast1882]

Snatching a late win in our promotion season at Oxford, despite getting drenched, is one of my favourite ever claret memories.

Lived in Reading for a time so took in a game at the Kassam, around 2011/12. Sat with the home fans who were a friendly bunch.

Hopefully they do Bolton in the final.

It is weird what you remember, I know we won 2-1, were 1.- down and Davis scored with a header from near the edge of the penalty area. I can remember Ian Wright crossing the ball for the winner but would never have recalled who scored the goal.

The week after was Millwall at home who I think were in the play offs and we went 4-0 up, they then scored 3 but lost 4-3. Chaos followed.

[JohnDearyMe]

Yep!

He also sold the old Manor Ground site for a healthy profit (I think he made about £10m), and didn't give a penny of that to the club. It's now Manor Hospital.

Whereabouts are they hoping to build their new ground? I know the Kassam ground (and Oxford City's ground) is quite a way out from the city centre

[hetheclaret]

Whereabouts are they hoping to build their new ground? I know the Kassam ground (and Oxford City's ground) is quite a way out from the city centre

It will be on the north edge of Oxford, in Kidlington, just off the A34. I think most Oxford fans are pretty happy with the location, altho the good people of Kidlington naturally aren’t that keen.

The city centre is and always has been off lomits for a football stadium given it’s basically a medieval city still!

[claretlife]

When I think of Oxford United I think of Billy Hamilton leaving us to go there. In my eyes at the time a much inferior club but he got to play in the top division. John Aldridge was there at the same time I think as well - good front 2!

[JohnDearyMe]

It will be on the north edge of Oxford, in Kidlington, just off the A34. I think most Oxford fans are pretty happy with the location, altho the good people of Kidlington naturally aren’t that keen.

The city centre is and always has been off lomits for a football stadium given it’s basically a medieval city still!

Yes that is a shame about the city centre but totally understandable. Lots of great pubs there and in some of the neighbouring areas

[ClaretTony]

When I think of Oxford United I think of Billy Hamilton leaving us to go there. In my eyes at the time a much inferior club but he got to play in the top division. John Aldridge was there at the same time I think as well - good front 2!

They’d just won promotion to the second division, leaving us behind.

[beeholeclaret]

It is weird what you remember, I know we won 2-1, were 1.- down and Davis scored with a header from near the edge of the penalty area. I can remember Ian Wright crossing the ball for the winner but would never have recalled who scored the goal.

The week after was Millwall at home who I think were in the play offs and we went 4-0 up, they then scored 3 but lost 4-3. Chaos followed.

I remember having a chat with Paul Weller and he said that during the week Ian Wright was doing a bit of coaching and said when PW got down the right wing and was preparing to cross he should look up and expect to see IW dropping off at the far post and therefore seek him out with his ball in.

If I’m correct he said that on the day of the Oxford game the positions were reversed and that Wrighty was sub that day and that IW himself came on and got the ball on the right wing. Funnily enough PW made a run into the area and decided to drop off at far post where IW had said he would run to. Wrighty saw him and put the cross onto Weller’s head and he scored the winner.

[HB Claret]

I can renember travelling with the London Clarets to watch us play Oxford probably early 1980s. I think it was a table topping clash - the game ended 0 : 0. It was my first time with the London Clarets and we arrived in Oxford around 10:50 and proceeded to visit various pubs until someone realised it was around 2:45. Three taxis came and around 20 of us piled in and just about made it in time for kick off. Can’t remember much about the game though as I was a young, inexperienced drinker and I think I spent most of the game in the loo.

[dougcollins]

The week after was Millwall at home who I think were in the play offs and we went 4-0 up, they then scored 3 but lost 4-3. Chaos followed.

Was that the game when Millwall's finest re-arranged the seating in the Cricketfield Stand?

[davetheclaret]

Waiters was brilliant that night. It had been called off on the Saturday because of a frozen pitch.

Made one of the best save i've ever seen that night.

[ChrisG]

It is weird what you remember, I know we won 2-1, were 1.- down and Davis scored with a header from near the edge of the penalty area. I can remember Ian Wright crossing the ball for the winner but would never have recalled who scored the goal.

The week after was Millwall at home who I think were in the play offs and we went 4-0 up, they then scored 3 but lost 4-3. Chaos followed.

And then that magical game at Brentford, Ian Wright masterclass

[Stan Tastic]

I remember having a chat with Paul Weller and he said that during the week Ian Wright was doing a bit of coaching and said when PW got down the right wing and was preparing to cross he should look up and expect to see IW dropping off at the far post and therefore seek him out with his ball in.

If I’m correct he said that on the day of the Oxford game the positions were reversed and that Wrighty was sub that day and that IW himself came on and got the ball on the right wing. Funnily enough PW made a run into the area and decided to drop off at far post where IW had said he would run to. Wrighty saw him and put the cross onto Weller’s head and he scored the winner.

Wrighty crossed from the left wing for Weller's winner. I was behind the goal watching it. The equaliser by Davis might just be the best headed goal I've ever seen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTtzjk3dK0g

[Silkyskills1]

Otherwise they face the prospect of having to play away from Oxford - options would be ground shares with Coventry, Reading or MK Dons, with Reading most likely given rail options.

Back in the 1980's it was, I think that Reading and Oxford United were considering merging under the new name of Thames Valley Royals.

[Targetman]

Back in the 1980's it was, I think that Reading and Oxford United were considering merging under the new name of Thames Valley Royals.

I think that was a Robert Maxwell "thing" rather than the 2 clubs "considering it".