It goes back quite a long way for me- my Dad, who was from a family of 'City supporters ( they lived on Folly Bridge, very close to the Whitehouse Ground), was the middle child of 3. From the age of 11 he started to rebel against the rest of his family and go to watch the boys from up the hill on a regular basis. Which he continued to do for 77 years.
I believe he took me to HUFC then OUFC matches from an early age, the first game I can actually remember going to was a home game v Bath City, on an Easter Monday in 1962. It was our last season before being elected to the football league, and the first season as Oxford United. We lost that one, albeit played 3 games over the easter bank holiday weekend, including beating Bath City at their place on the easter Friday.. I would've been 5 years old at that Easter Monday game. Memories of my first few seasons going to watch Oxford United include walking to and from the Manor with my Dad ( from very close to Green rd roundabout where we lived at the time). My Dad used to keep a roll of fruit pastels in his pocket, which when Oxford scored, both he and I would have a sweet. Beating Barrow 7-0 at home in 64, I must've been bouncing off the walls when I got home post match due to the sugar rush. Of course etched in my memory forever was that monumental fa cup run of 64, beating First division Blackburn rovers at home , followed by being 'robbed' by PNE at home in the next round, losing 1-2 , the oppositions goals should not have stood, first was a foul on Harry Fearnly our keeper, the second, the linesman did not apply the then new offside rule, it was blatantly offside. I was 7 in 1964.
By the time I was 10 going on 11 I was often going to home games with school friends, my Dad was taking my younger sister along to games with him by then, we, me and school pals,'d stand in the London Rd end joining in with the loud n lairy vocal home support. My first away game was our first competitive game away to Sw*nd*n, I went on a coach with my Dad to that one (0-0 draw), he also took me to Reading away, after which I went to a few away games with my Uncle, my mums younger brother, before as I got into my teens I'd go to away games often by train on football specials. the one and only time my Dad took my sister into the London road end was that cup game v Watford, when the wall collapsed! She wasn't allowed in there again, not that it put her off.
My Sister my Uncle and I are all currently ST holders, all our kids and grandkids have been bought up right, supporting their local team, some go to games more often than others, all go to games occasionally.
Ive followed Oxford United all over the country, and actively supported them since '64, next year will mark 60 years unbroken supporting Oxford United through the good times, which haven't been many, and bad times too.
Wembley '86 just shades it by a fag paper over Wembley '10 as the finest OUFC moment for me . League games, the Beano double away to Scum, along with the 6 in a row and 7 in a row home n away games are right up there. Guaranteeing promotion to the top flight drawing 3-3 away to Charlton on a night match. Surviving relegation away at Tranmere. Cup games in recentish times, beating Swansea, West Ham, and in the 80s that 3 game epic v Big Rons Man U, eventual winners under lights aet at the Manor.
Regrets, and particular downsides/ lows are, after qualifying for Europe for the first and only time, then not being able to watch my team play European club football( due to bindippers actions at Heyschel stadium). Being relegated for the first time ever ( as Oxford United) on the last game of the season away to Orient - the fleet of double dekker buses organised by LRT was certainly a fun journey home. Being relegated on the last day of the season at the breeze block, by Leyton Orient. - Yes there's a theme here as to my reasoning behind IMO should never play in red. Bindippers, Orient , and of course Scum all play in red. Why thefuck should Oxfrd United FC even consider wearing a red shirt is way beyond my comprehension.
as Sly and the Family Stone sang - Its a Family Affair