Ex-Staff Des Buckingham

[Northstandboy]

Des Buckingham Joined: September 2004 - July 2014 (U18 Manager/Assistant Coach) 16th November 2023 - 15th December 2024 (Head Coach) ​

 

[Scotchegg]

Although I was working nights in my "real" job, I was also very lucky to be working in support of the club in the playoffs first so had access in and around Wembley that I could have only ever dreamed of. Having no sleep and nothing to eat, I was living off adrenaline alone until getting home that evening.

Seeing Rosie crying at the final whistle, talking about first half Wembley goals with Beano and Matty Green at half time, and in some small way, being part of our clubs success made it a day I'll never forget.

I have been to all of our Wembley appearances with the exception of the Covid season and I'm not ashamed to say that I cried at every victory. In the closing stages of the Milk Cup whilst Wembley were singing "we're by far the greatest team the world has ever seen". When Alfie scored the third. And this time I managed to hold off until the final whistle before all of the emotion came out. I wasn't alone.

The fact that it was Des that delivered this for us makes it so much sweeter and I don't think I've ever been more proud of the club and everyone associated with it than I was seeing Des front and centre of the bus parading through our city.

It feels like a good time to reflect on that day and the huge contribution that Des made to our lives and our history. I suspect that he would accept that he had taken us about as far as he could, and I hope that he is also able to move on from the way things ended and feel proud of what he achieved.

 

[chuckbert]

Can you all shut up. Couldn’t engineer the trip from Perth - all too hard and expensive - and you’re all going on about how it was the best day ever. I’m having to be happy with our away performance at Stevenage that season.

 

[Eric Blair]

I can emphasize with those comments having seen Oxford at Wembley four times. I was midway through prostate cancer treatment.
If we stay up this season that will be cause for major celebration

Off topic a bit but how are things post treatment if you don't mind me asking? Hope all is well.

 

[unification]

I’m loving reading the responses to that great day in May. Whilst we may be premature for the anniversary of it, it’s good to reminisce.

Conversely, I was really chilled about it because I was convinced we’d lose. I went in with the mindset of just enjoying the day and hopefully giving the players a round of applause for their efforts in getting that far. I sensed we’d used all our luck up against Peterborough in the second leg of the semi-finals and figures that Bolton with Sheehan, Santos, Maghoma and co would be too much for us. I had a couple of pints at the stadium (I’m not much of a match day drinker in most instances) and was totally relaxed.

I took the Oxford Tube to Hillingdon and then the Met line into Wembley. It was mostly Bolton fans getting on the Tube and making the most noise for the 30-minute ride to the stadium but as soon as I got to Wembley Way, I could see where all of our fans were and the blue and white shirts soon dispersed to reveal a sea of blue and white clad Oxford fans courtesy of Adam Benson.

One aspect I think we underappreciate was that we were in the east-facing end of the stadium. There was no shielding of the eyes from the sun to watch the play so our fans could certainly make more noise than Bolton could and in greater number too. A marginal gain perhaps?

As for the game, it was a masterclass. In and out of possession, we were exceptional. I did get nervous around the 77th minute when a lot of fans behind the goal were signing ‘we are going up’ and the like and it wasn’t until the 95th minute that I really believed it. Maybe the leap to the Championship came too early for Des but that game alone showed what a promising young manager he is.

Oh, and I had a lamb tikka naan at Kebab Kid on the Cowley Road in honour of Des. A Brookes-attending Bolton fan who looked to have drowned his sorrows entered and I had a quick chat with him about the game. He was full of praise for Oxford and was desperately disappointed that his team hadn’t turned up. He was worried for next season in that they’d struggle to recover from the defeat which had come true to some extent.

What a day.

 

[tonyw]

Once the game started I felt we had it under control and we were going to win. Beforehand, though, I was a bag of nerves. I was just so sick of League One that I felt that if we lost this one we'd be condemned to stay there forever, especially after that play-off final defeat by Wycombe. For me, the surreal game was the Milk Cup win. The York win was probably the most relieved I've ever felt after a match, while the Bolton game was just cathartic. After the initial joy dissipated, I spent most of the summer just hoping we would stay up and not get humiliated

I actually find this a slightly surprising sentiment - particularly from a fan such as yourself that's clearly been on the OUFC roller coaster for decades - but it's one I hear a lot on here.

Having watched and travelled and suffered through the 2001-2016 years, I absolutely loved League One. Usually a fascinating range of clubs from the genuinely big that have hit hard times to the historically non-league that are hitting their peak in front of a few thousand. Some good, if not great, football often on show. And on balance, we won significantly more games than we lost and usually scored a bunch of goals.

Doesn't mean I didn't want to beat Bolton - of course I did, and I was certainly curious to see what the next level was like, and how we would do. But I was nowhere near as desperate to win that game as I was against York (or even against Wycombe to finally seal our exit from League Two) because I didn't think staying in League One was the worst thing in the world.

But probably I just lack ambition.

 

[OX14]

It was the best day I've had following Oxford united in 26 years of following the club. The conference play off final I was a nervous wreck a couple of days before and up until Alfie Potter put it in the back of the net to secure our return to the football league.

This was different though, the whole play offs campaign I had no expectation for us to go up. The two semi finals were brilliant especially the away leg where Posh fans thought they only had to turn to to get to the final, the final was the same, all the Bolton fans I spoke to pre game were discussing how many they would score not wether they would win or not. Brilliant performance from everyone on the pitch and it well and truly shut them Bolton fans up.

What followed after the final whistle was glorious celebrating within the ground and outside then that was topped with the bus parade where the weather was outstanding.

It's a shame what happened to us this season and Des having to be sacked, Rowett may keep us up but he just isn't Des he isn't one of our own and doesn't have a connection with the fans or local community. Football is cruel.

 

[holdsteady]

I actually find this a slightly surprising sentiment - particularly from a fan such as yourself that's clearly been on the OUFC roller coaster for decades - but it's one I hear a lot on here.

Having watched and travelled and suffered through the 2001-2016 years, I absolutely loved League One. Usually a fascinating range of clubs from the genuinely big that have hit hard times to the historically non-league that are hitting their peak in front of a few thousand. Some good, if not great, football often on show. And on balance, we won significantly more games than we lost and usually scored a bunch of goals.

Doesn't mean I didn't want to beat Bolton - of course I did, and I was certainly curious to see what the next level was like, and how we would do. But I was nowhere near as desperate to win that game as I was against York (or even against Wycombe to finally seal our exit from League Two) because I didn't think staying in League One was the worst thing in the world.

But probably I just lack ambition.

I don’t know if doing an Oldham is a good idea though, becoming a third tier fixture, because if you don’t go up eventually you go down, look what happened to Oldham after that.

Speaking of enjoying promotions and Oldham Athletic, can you imagine the party they are going to have when they finally get promoted for the first time in 35 plus years, that must either a record or at least the longest run (outside of the few prem clubs who never get relegated).

 

[christenedinjericho]

I actually find this a slightly surprising sentiment - particularly from a fan such as yourself that's clearly been on the OUFC roller coaster for decades - but it's one I hear a lot on here.

Having watched and travelled and suffered through the 2001-2016 years, I absolutely loved League One. Usually a fascinating range of clubs from the genuinely big that have hit hard times to the historically non-league that are hitting their peak in front of a few thousand. Some good, if not great, football often on show. And on balance, we won significantly more games than we lost and usually scored a bunch of goals.

Doesn't mean I didn't want to beat Bolton - of course I did, and I was certainly curious to see what the next level was like, and how we would do. But I was nowhere near as desperate to win that game as I was against York (or even against Wycombe to finally seal our exit from League Two) because I didn't think staying in League One was the worst thing in the world.

But probably I just lack ambition.

Unfortunately, Tony, ambition at supporter level here at OUFC is atrocious.

Why, we have such a world beating amount of 'should I stay or should I go' fans will follow me to my one day cremation chamber...I'm absolutely sure of this!

Ffs....every f*cking game at home from around 1983 to 1986 I thought we'd win and even though it wasn't ever going to a feasible long term solution lol I still think as big as possible for my home city club and hope that one day we'll trouble the premier league.

Those lines in front of me are as thick as f*ck.

3pts tomorrow and West Brom are just West Brom to me.

COYY'S

 

[werthersoriginal]

I don’t know if doing an Oldham is a good idea though, becoming a third tier fixture, because if you don’t go up eventually you go down, look what happened to Oldham after that.

Speaking of enjoying promotions and Oldham Athletic, can you imagine the party they are going to have when they finally get promoted for the first time in 35 plus years, that must either a record or at least the longest run (outside of the few prem clubs who never get relegated).

I think you're both right. League One is a great league and was a lot of fun. We certainly aren't getting the same number of goals and wins now, or 'charging down the slope' as regularly in home matches, but it's hard to stay still in football and you need aims and a feeling of moving forward. It's been a bit dour this season but any win just feels massive. Hopefully we can stay up by any means this season and then next season start to play with more confidence and style.

 

[Big Ron]

I cannot. The emotions of pure elation and and extreme happiness that day encapsulated just should not be possible by 22 grown men and a bag of leather and wind.

I think you’re being a bit harsh on yourself with the last part of that sentence.

 

[tonyw]

I don’t know if doing an Oldham is a good idea though, becoming a third tier fixture, because if you don’t go up eventually you go down, look what happened to Oldham after that.

Speaking of enjoying promotions and Oldham Athletic, can you imagine the party they are going to have when they finally get promoted for the first time in 35 plus years, that must either a record or at least the longest run (outside of the few prem clubs who never get relegated).

I think Rochdale were a little worse - they got promoted into the 3rd tier in 1969, relegated back into the 4th tier in 1974, and then stayed there until 2010 when Keith Hill finally got them up. They've been bouncing up and down all over the place since then (although it's been a net negative).

So Oldham still have another six seasons after this one to go to match their 41 years between promotions! They've obviously had a lot more relegations than Rochdale in the meantime, mind.


Also, the team that has spent the most time in the 3rd tier in history (and therefore the biggest third tier fixture there is)? Bournemouth. And they're knocking on the door of the Champions League right now!

 

[holdsteady]

I think Rochdale were a little worse - they got promoted into the 3rd tier in 1969, relegated back into the 4th tier in 1974, and then stayed there until 2010 when Keith Hill finally got them up. They've been bouncing up and down all over the place since then (although it's been a net negative).

So Oldham still have another six seasons after this one to go to match their 41 years between promotions! They've obviously had a lot more relegations than Rochdale in the meantime, mind.


Also, the team that has spent the most time in the 3rd tier in history (and therefore the biggest third tier fixture there is)? Bournemouth. And they're knocking on the door of the Champions League right now!

I saw Rochdale play at Aldershot in October last year, strange to think they were above us in the pyramid for a while now. They did used to be the fourth division team when I was a kid, then and the likes of Bury.

 

[Eric Blair]

Just leaving this here as a reminder. What a legend that man is.

(I mean Des rather than Olly the Ox. That said Olly is a good man too).

 

[Foley]

I wonder what Des will do next?
He must have had some job offers.

 

[Scotchegg]

Just leaving this here as a reminder. What a legend that man is.

(I mean Des rather than Olly the Ox. That said Olly is a good man too).

Great photo!

Aside from Wembley and the City Parade, this is what I'll remember Des for. A genuinely decent guy who really cared about the club and the community.

We're often told that there is no room for sentiment in football, but Des was an exception and regardless of how things work out, I remain sad at the ways things ended.

Hopefully he'll get a chance back in the game soon

 

[Eric Blair]

I wonder what Des will do next?
He must have had some job offers.

I wonder if he just wants and needs a long break. He packed a lot of highs and lows in a very short space of time.