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Written by Pete Grimes
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Friday, 08 December 2006 |
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Address
The United Stadium
Oxford, Oxfordshire
OX4 4XP
Map
Official Site
Forum
OxVox - Oxford Supporters' Trust
Oxford were formed in 1893 as an amateur club and stayed a 'small' club until they were elected into the Southern League in 1949. They retained their old name of Headington United until 1960.
From then on life 'took off' , they were one of the first clubs to have floodlights playing under them for the first time in December 1950. They won their first Southern League Championship in 1953 and reached the fourth round of the FA Cup the following year. Two more Southern League Championships followed and when Accrington Stanley 'folded' in 1962 Oxford were elected to the league. Ironic to think that Accrington replaced them in the league this season!
They were the first of only four 4th Division (now Div 2) clubs to reach the 6th round of the FA Cup in 1964 and were promoted to Div 3 a year later where they were captained by Ron Atkinson for 2 seasons, the second of which saw them promoted again. 8 years in Div 2 followed.
Sadly it all fell apart for a while when financial problems almost saw them fold before being 'rescued' by Robert Maxwell.
It was during the Maxwell era that Jim Smith first arrived at Oxford and two consecutive promotions saw them in the old Div 1. Jim, Smith left them and they narrowly escaped relegation in the first two seasons but went down in the third. In their first season there they won the Milk Cup at Wembley defeating QPR 3-0.
Robert Maxwell died and financial problems again faced the club.
Our own David Moss was assistant manager to Brian Horton for a while but overall it was 1 step forward and 2 steps back on the field although they have moved into a new stadium, albeit not fully completed as yet.
Their first season in the Conference has, at least, suggested a change of fortune with 3 consecutive wins - against Halifax at home and Burton and Dagenham away. Oxford fans hope this is the start of another successful era as they welcomed back Jim Smith as manager on transfer deadline day last season - too late to save them then but off to a flyer now.
Directions:
The ground is situated on Grenoble Road, which is south of the city and links the A4074 with the B480. It is clearly signposted on all routes. If travelling by train be aware the ground is a long way from the station. However football buses depart from stop R1 at the station at 1pm and 2pm and return from the ground at 5pm and 6pm.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 08 September 2007 )
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