Memory Lane Yesteryear

ON THIS DAY

October 30th 1991

United win 3-2 at Roots Hall, Southend thanks to a brace from Paul Simpson and a Mark Stein effort. Brett Angell put the home side ahead before the U’s raced into a 3-1 lead. Steve Tilson netted a late second half effort for the Shrimpers.

The game featured a bizarre goal in which Southend ‘keeper Paul Sansome comically spilled a soft effort from Simpson into his own net.

U’s: P Kee - L Robinson S Foster A Melville G Smart - L Nogan M Lewis J Magilton P Simpson - T Aylott M Stein
Sub: M Druce

Att: 4,873

 
West Oxon U’s said:
ON THIS DAY

October 30th 1991

United win 3-2 at Roots Hall, Southend thanks to a brace from Paul Simpson and a Mark Stein effort. Brett Angell put the home side ahead before the U’s raced into a 3-1 lead. Steve Tilson netted a late second half effort for the Shrimpers.

The game featured a bizarre goal in which Southend ‘keeper Paul Sansome comically spilled a soft effort from Simpson into his own net.

U’s: P Kee - L Robinson S Foster A Melville G Smart - L Nogan M Lewis J Magilton P Simpson - T Aylott M Stein
Sub: M Druce

Att: 4,873

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One of the very few times we've actually won there 😳
 
ON THIS DAY

October 31st 1984

United defeat top-flight Arsenal 3-2 in a League Cup 3rd round tie at the Manor 41 years ago. Aldridge, Hamilton and Langan netted for the U’S.
Ian Allinson and Graham Rix on target for Don Howe’s Gunners. United bowed out in the fourth round with a 2-1 defeat at Ipswich.

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U’s: S Hardwick - D Langan G Briggs M Shotton B McDonald - G Lawrence J Trewick T Hebberd K Brock - J Aldridge B Hamilton

Arsenal: Pat Jennings - Viv Anderson David O’Leary Tommy Caton Kenny Sansom - Graham Rix Brian Talbot Stewart Robson Ian Allinson - Charlie Nicholas Tony Woodcock
Sub: Tony Adams

Att: 14,373
 
West Oxon U’s said:
ON THIS DAY

October 31st 1984

United defeat top-flight Arsenal 3-2 in a League Cup 3rd round tie at the Manor 41 years ago. Aldridge, Hamilton and Langan netted for the U’S.
Ian Allinson and Graham Rix on target for Don Howe’s Gunners. United bowed out in the fourth round with a 2-1 defeat at Ipswich.

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U’s: S Hardwick - D Langan G Briggs M Shotton B McDonald - G Lawrence J Trewick T Hebberd K Brock - J Aldridge B Hamilton

Arsenal: Pat Jennings - Viv Anderson David O’Leary Tommy Caton Kenny Sansom - Graham Rix Brian Talbot Stewart Robson Ian Allinson - Charlie Nicholas Tony Woodcock
Sub: Tony Adams

Att: 14,373
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Two mid-00s OUFC managers in that Arsenal midfield.
 
ON THIS DAY

November 2nd 1974

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The U’s travelled to Old Trafford in high spirits some 51 years ago for a second tier clash with Tommy Docherty’s Manchester United but ended up being thrashed
4-0. Stuart Pearson with a hat-trick and Luigi ‘Lou’ Macari with the fourth cementing the Red Devil’s position at the top of the Second Division.

U’s: J Milkins - J Light D Roberts C Clarke J Shuker - B Heron M Briggs J Fleming S Aylott - D Clarke A McCulloch
Sub: J Sims

Man U: Alex Stepney - Alex Forsyth Martin Buchan Arnold Sidebottom Stewart Houston - Gerry Daly Brian Greenhoff Jim McCalliog Sammy McIlroy -
Stuart Pearson Lou Macari
Sub: Willie Morgan

Att: 41,909
 
ON THIS DAY

November 4th 2023

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United defeat Maidenhead United 2-0 in the FA Cup first round in OX4 on this day two years ago but it turns out to be Head Coach Liam Manning’s last match in charge of the U’s. Post-match Manning denied links to the vacant managerial position at Bristol City in a BBC Radio Oxford interview. On Monday 6th November all betting on Manning’s departure was suspended as Manning accepted Bristol City’s offer. The following day the 38 year old Manning was announced as Bristol City’s head coach
on a three-and-half year contract until June 2027.

Billy Bodin scored both goals that see United safely into round two with victory over Maidenhead and another home tie with Grimsby Town.

U’s: S Eastwood - S Negru E Moore J Thorniley G Leigh - C Brannagan J McEachran B Bodin - T Goodrham M Harris S Mills
Subs: R Rodrigues, J Murphy, C Brown, S Perkins, & M McGuane

Att: 4,094
 
ON THIS DAY

November 7th 1987

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Striker Dean Saunders smashes a late penalty beyond Coventry ‘keeper Steve Ogrizovic to give the U’s a 1-0 win over the Sky Blues.
This was United’s last victory in the top-flight to date. It was the 5th home win of the season and moved the U’s up to tenth in the table.

U’s: P Hucker - D Bardsley N Slatter T Caton J Dreyer - L Phillips G Shelton T Hebberd P Rhoades-Brown - B Whitehurst D Saunders
Sub: R Mustoe

Cov: Steve Ogrizovic - Brian Borrows Brian Kilcline Kevan Smith Greg Downes - Dave Bennett Dean Emerson David Phillips - David Speedie
Cyrille Regis Keith Houchen
Subs: Micky Gynn & Steve Sedgeley

Att: 7,801
 
West Oxon U’s said:
ON THIS DAY

November 7th 1987

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Striker Dean Saunders smashes a late penalty beyond Coventry ‘keeper Steve Ogrizovic to give the U’s a 1-0 win over the Sky Blues.
This was United’s last victory in the top-flight to date. It was the 5th home win of the season and moved the U’s up to tenth in the table.

U’s: P Hucker - D Bardsley N Slatter T Caton J Dreyer - L Phillips G Shelton T Hebberd P Rhoades-Brown - B Whitehurst D Saunders
Sub: R Mustoe

Cov: Steve Ogrizovic - Brian Borrows Brian Kilcline Kevan Smith Greg Downes - Dave Bennett Dean Emerson David Phillips - David Speedie
Cyrille Regis Keith Houchen
Subs: Micky Gynn & Steve Sedgeley

Att: 7,801
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For those moaning about our recent attendances - have a look here. Tenth place in the top flight.
 
West Oxon U’s said:
ON THIS DAY

November 7th 1987

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Striker Dean Saunders smashes a late penalty beyond Coventry ‘keeper Steve Ogrizovic to give the U’s a 1-0 win over the Sky Blues.
This was United’s last victory in the top-flight to date. It was the 5th home win of the season and moved the U’s up to tenth in the table.

U’s: P Hucker - D Bardsley N Slatter T Caton J Dreyer - L Phillips G Shelton T Hebberd P Rhoades-Brown - B Whitehurst D Saunders
Sub: R Mustoe

Cov: Steve Ogrizovic - Brian Borrows Brian Kilcline Kevan Smith Greg Downes - Dave Bennett Dean Emerson David Phillips - David Speedie
Cyrille Regis Keith Houchen
Subs: Micky Gynn & Steve Sedgeley

Att: 7,801
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For those attending in 87/88, what was the feeling at this point in the season?

That we were looking better than ever and could push on as an established top flight club? Or were the cracks already showing despite the positive start to the season?
 
MJB said:
For those attending in 87/88, what was the feeling at this point in the season?

That we were looking better than ever and could push on as an established top flight club? Or were the cracks already showing despite the positive start to the season?
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From vague memories, I think the cracks were already starting to show.
 
MJB said:
For those attending in 87/88, what was the feeling at this point in the season?

That we were looking better than ever and could push on as an established top flight club? Or were the cracks already showing despite the positive start to the season?
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Houghton had just been sold, probably two weeks before that match, and it was obvious that we were going to find it tough. I certainly didn't see us not winning again from that point however, we were competitive.

The Coventry win was actually our second in a run of 3 straight wins in all competitions, and from the 2nd October through to 23rd April we lost only once at The Manor in 8 games (7 of them in the league) but couldn't get the win - it was ultimately that run which relegated us. Draws in the league (0-0 v Spurs, 0-0 v Derby, 4-4 v Chelsea, 0-0 v Arsenal, 0-0 v Southampton, 1-1 v Everton) proved to be the death knell.

But it's also worth remembering that we did reach the League Cup semi-finals that season. A 2-0 victory over Manchester United, including a Gary Briggs diving header from outside the box - a highlight.
 
SteMerritt said:
Houghton had just been sold, probably two weeks before that match, and it was obvious that we were going to find it tough. I certainly didn't see us not winning again from that point however, we were competitive.

The Coventry win was actually our second in a run of 3 straight wins in all competitions, and from the 2nd October through to 23rd April we lost only once at The Manor in 8 games (7 of them in the league) but couldn't get the win - it was ultimately that run which relegated us. Draws in the league (0-0 v Spurs, 0-0 v Derby, 4-4 v Chelsea, 0-0 v Arsenal, 0-0 v Southampton, 1-1 v Everton) proved to be the death knell.

But it's also worth remembering that we did reach the League Cup semi-finals that season. A 2-0 victory over Manchester United, including a Gary Briggs diving header from outside the box - a highlight.
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Very interesting.

Understandably the (excellent) Glory Years book doesn't spend a huge amount of pages on 87/88 (unless I'm misremembering that) but sometimes you can just tell as a fan that things don't feel right.

A bit like the season Wilder jumped ship - we were high in the league when he went to Northampton but it never felt to me like we would keep up. I didn't see it going quite so spectacularly badly under Waddock, mind!
 
My recollection of 1987-88 was that we didn’t do any real transfer business that Summer. Mal Shotton departed for Portsmouth.

We were linked for weeks on end with the signing of Brighton midfielder Danny Wilson but he opted to join Luton. We signed Richard Hill and Dave Bardsley from Watford in September 1987 and those two looked to have really strengthened us.Houghton was integral to our central midfield at that point but as soon as he was sold in October 1987 we were in real trouble.

Gary Shelton never pulled up any trees and it was obvious that Richard Hill was out of his depth hence Graham Taylor selling him to us.

Saunders was capable of scoring goals at top flight level but Martin Foyle struggled as of course did Billy Whitehurst.

We also had goalkeeping issues using Hucker, Hardwick and Judge. We spent fairly big on Gillingham centre-back Colin Greenall as a last hurrah but the ship was going down and Maurice Evans quit in March ‘88 before relegation was confirmed.


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West Oxon U’s said:
we didn’t do any real transfer business that Summer. Mal Shotton departed for Portsmouth.
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Do you remember if he played in the first game of the season for Pompey at The Manor? I can't remember seeing him play against us. I was definitely at the game though, would have been in the Osler.
 
He may have done but when we signed Tommy Caton in March 1987 Shotton’s days were numbered.



I’m pretty certain Hardwick was loaned out during 1987-88 too after being in and out of the side.

EDIT:

We loaned Steve Hardwick to Sunderland that season who were in the third division.

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West Oxon U’s said:
My recollection of 1987-88 was that we didn’t do any real transfer business that Summer. Mal Shotton departed for Portsmouth.

We were linked for weeks on end with the signing of Brighton midfielder Danny Wilson but he opted to join Luton. We signed Richard Hill and Dave Bardsley from Watford in September 1987 and those two looked to have really strengthened us.Houghton was integral to our central midfield at that point but as soon as he was sold in October 1987 we were in real trouble.

Gary Shelton never pulled up any trees and it was obvious that Richard Hill was out of his depth hence Graham Taylor selling him to us.

Saunders was capable of scoring goals at top flight level but Martin Foyle struggled as of course did Billy Whitehurst.

We also had goalkeeping issues using Hucker, Hardwick and Judge. We spent fairly big on Gillingham centre-back Colin Greenall as a last hurrah but the ship was going down and Maurice Evans quit in March ‘88 before relegation was confirmed.


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Really interesting again - thanks.
 
Remember the Bardsley / Hill debut against top of the table and I think previously unbeaten QPR , Bardsley crossing for Hill to head home !
Remember the chase for Danny Wilson and we ended up with Shelton instead .
Greenall was a Jake Wright sized centre back who was not quite up to the top flight .
 
ON THIS DAY

November 9th 1985

On this day 40 years ago top flight U’s are defeated 2-1 at the Manor by West Ham United.
Tony Cottee and Mark Ward for the Hammers. John Aldridge opening the scoring for Oxford.

It was the second home league defeat of the 1985-86 season.

Att:13,140

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West Oxon U’s said:
ON THIS DAY

November 9th 1985

On this day 40 years ago top flight U’s are defeated 2-1 at the Manor by West Ham United.
Tony Cottee and Mark Ward for the Hammers. John Aldridge opening the scoring for Oxford.

It was the second home league defeat of the 1985-86 season.

Att:13,140

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Higher home attendance than 3 other games.
 
West Oxon U’s said:
ON THIS DAY

November 9th 1985

On this day 40 years ago top flight U’s are defeated 2-1 at the Manor by West Ham United.
Tony Cottee and Mark Ward for the Hammers. John Aldridge opening the scoring for Oxford.

It was the second home league defeat of the 1985-86 season.

Att:13,140

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I think Ward's goal was a 30 yarder in the top corner at the London Road end, have hazy memories of being right behind it as it went in. Other memory I have of that game was getting Bobby Moore's autograph who was working in the press box at the back of the Beech Road stand, I've got the signed programme somewhere.
 
West Oxon U’s said:
ON THIS DAY

November 9th 1985

On this day 40 years ago top flight U’s are defeated 2-1 at the Manor by West Ham United.
Tony Cottee and Mark Ward for the Hammers. John Aldridge opening the scoring for Oxford.

It was the second home league defeat of the 1985-86 season.

Att:13,140

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G5UVmy4XcAAQF23
Click to expand...
Birmingham and Leicester both getting 8000 at home for a top flight match. West Brom 9000. Sheffield Wed pulling in a big 48,000 for Man Utd. Our crowd of 13140 looks good (y)
 
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