Briggs had Keegan in his pocket all game, until the permed dwarfer finally manipulated referee , Thomas the book, into red carding Rambo late on ( if memory serves)Oxford v Newcastle 26th October 1983
Went with my brother and Dad, and was originally in the Beech Road by the dug outs but it was rammed so another family went on the pitch and walked over to the family enclosure (I think) in the top corner of Osler Road and we followed. Was right next to the Newcastle fans who thought it was amusing to call the kids towards the fence and spit on them!! Got revenge when a squirty tomato sauce bottle was thrown over from the burger stand and we covered a few Geordies from the safety of our side of the fence!!
As for the football, they had Keegan, Beardsley, Waddle and McDermott as a top 4 and were in great form. But we had Briggs and Shotton who never gave them a sniff (until Briggs got sent off!) and Andy Thomas who ran the show from midfield. Neil Whatmore and Andy Thomas scored, but we could have had 3 or 4 more.
Needless to say that I was an Oxford fan from that day and followed it up with seeing us beat Leeds, draw and beat Man Utd and be so close to beating Everton too. The song "Oxford United, Oxford United FC, by far the greatest team the world has ever seen" couldn't have been more accurate to a 10 year old me!
If I recall Briggs's perfectly-timed* tackle was worthy of two red cards.Briggs had Keegan in his pocket all game, until the permed dwarfer finally manipulated referee , Thomas the book, into red carding Rambo late on ( if memory serves)
1972 or so against `Boro, 4-0 win, Dad took me and that was that. Sat on the wall at the front of the Beech Road terrace.
Actually managed to watch a game from every stand at the Manor. Including a midweek 0-0 draw against Bolton from the Cuckoo Lane (left side) when it rained.... a lot.
Even broke in with some others after it closed for a Summer evening drunken kickabout and done some Urban Exploring as the kids say these days.
The police observation tower in the Cuckoo Lane had lots of junk in it including a box of Ritz Video (remember them?) sponsored matchday programmes that were still in their cellophane wrappers.
Christ, that's one hell of a time supporting Headington/ Oxford United! Hats off to you.My first real eason was the 1946-7 one. Since I was only about five or six at the time I don't really remember who we played. It was probably somebody like Banbury Spencer in the Oxfordshire Senior League. My parents were fanatics so I was dragged to every match whether I wanted to or not. I really got fully hooked in the 1953-4 season when we won the Southern League Cup Final. Been stuck with the club ever since. All the way up to the top and all the way back down again. Hopefully on the way back up again.
January 1954 also, Stockport then Bolton in FA Cup - in Osler Road at front - hooked from then on.January 1954 , Bolton Wanderers.. Frozen to the core! Rekindled interest in 1959 when United toppled league leaders Bath City 3-1. You are then "programmed in " forever.
1983. Was that the first game (1-1), or the second replay (2-1)? Top games.Man U at home in 84. Hooked.