What the Stats Say...Burton

We make the trip to Burton Albion this week on a Sunday, due to the home side sharing stewards with Derby, who were at home to Stoke in the FA Cup on Saturday. With our league rivals all playing on Saturday we know that a win will move us back into seventh place, above Accrington who beat Gillingham 4-3 to move one point ahead of us. Matt Peck (whose first match piece can be found here) has been digging through the stats to bring you this look ahead to the match.

My First Oxford Match: Simon Berendt

Our 'My First Oxford Match' series is back again for another installment, this time provided by Simon Berendt - something of a trial by fire for a young Mr Berendt, as not many people experience a 5-3 local derby thriller in their first match! Don't forget to send your memories of your first Oxford match to tbfuth@hotmail.co.uk.


Oxford United 5-3 Swindon Town (07/03/92)

In Defence of Michael Duberry

At around half past five on Saturday evening, an Oxford United footballer was trending nationally on Twitter. Unfortunately, it wasn't for the right reasons. Michael Duberry's bizarre hat-trick (including two own goals) made him one of the most talked-about topics in the country and many of those comments were mocking. It's frustrating that Duberry's consistently excellent performances all season have gone unnoticed, but after one poor performance (in which he redeemed himself with a last minute equaliser, let's not forget) the national spotlight is suddenly thrust upon him. So in this article, I will attempt to defend the good name of our Michael Duberry, who is fast becoming a cult hero here at Oxford.

My First Oxford Match: Ed George

Another entry in our My First Oxford Match series, this time provided by Ed George. It's testament to his loyalty that he kept coming back, despite experiencing relegation in his first taste of Oxford United! If you'd like to contribute your own memories to us, you can do so by emailing tbfuth@hotmail.co.uk.

My First Oxford Match: Olly Howells

The latest contribution to our My First Oxford Match series comes from Olly Howells, who recalls the match which caused him to fall in love with this wonderful football club. If you would also like to get in on the act and write about your first OUFC experiences, you need only email tbfuth@hotmail.co.uk, where your contribution will be gratefully received!

My First Oxford Match: Matt Peck

Next to regale us with memories of his first Oxford match is statistician extraordinaire, Matt Peck, with his account of a Conference clash against Cambridge United in front of the Setanta Sports cameras. To add your own experience to this growing collection, simply email your recollections of your first Oxford United match to tbfuth@hotmail.co.uk.

My First Oxford Match: Simon Smith

Our 'My First Oxford Match' series continues, with Simon Smith's recollections of his first match - an encounter with Chester in November 1980. Don't forget to send your memories of your first Oxford match to tbfuth@hotmail.co.uk!

My First Oxford Match: Gareth Brown

Apparently, I wasn't the only one who got my first taste of the mighty yellows that day in April 1996. In the latest of our 'My First Oxford Match' series, Gareth Brown reveals his first and only visit to the Manor Ground. As ever, your contributions to this series would be hugely appreciated, just write down your memories of your first match and email them to tbfuth@hotmail.co.uk.

Oxford United 1-0 Blackpool (06/04/96)

It's almost like a rite of passage, being taken to your first football game by your dad. We got the tickets from the club as I used to do Oxford United football courses at the Didcot Lesuire Centre. My dad wasn't an Oxford supporter, he was a Chelsea supporter from the Islington area, despite having Arsenal-supporting parents.

What the Stats Say...Hereford

Though this weekend's visit of Hereford United has been overshadowed somewhat by the James Constable transfer saga, this match is by far the more pressing matter as we seek to correct the mistakes of last weekend. Once again, Matt Peck's excellent statistical analysis is enlightening, revealing the tough challenge that Hereford will pose.

My First Oxford Match: Simon Atkinson

Our First Oxford Match series continues with some wonderful recollections from Simon Atkinson of early visits to the Manor in 1982. If, like Simon, you want to share your nostalgic memories of your first Oxford match, then please email tbfuth@hotmail.co.uk.

Oxford United 1-1 Chesterfield (27/03/82)

Then, as now, OUFC gave out free tickets to schools. I think our school got tickets because the Youth Team played there and a few of us showed up to cheer them on. We had four tickets in the Beech Road stand for the game against Chesterfield.

Constable to Swindon: Someone is Making a Mistake

The news coming in today is that Oxford have agreed a fee with hated enemies Swindon Town for the talismanic James Constable, thus confirming our worst fears. Though no move has been finalised at the time of writing, the reports have left Oxford fans angry and betrayed by both the player, who had been considered a legend in these parts, and the club. The very notion of James Constable playing his football at Swindon is wrong for Oxford United and James Constable.

My First Oxford Match: Graham Deacon

Graham and Ollie with Matt Green

The next entry in our My First Oxford Match series comes from Graham Deacon, recalling his early experiences of the Manor in the late 60s and the rediscovery of his love for the club after taking his son Ollie to his first match. We're currently inviting contributions for this series, so if you'd like to share your memories of your first Oxford match, please email tbfuth@hotmail.co.uk.

My First Oxford Match: George Dugdale

Next in our 'My First Match' series, George Dugdale, editor of the fantastic Rage Online fansite, recalls his first trip to a very cold Manor Ground on Boxing Day 1998. If you'd like to submit your own recollections of your first ever Oxford match, they will be gratefully received at tbfuth@hotmail.co.uk.

Oxford United 1-3 Crystal Palace (26/12/98)

I'm seven years old and I'm at the Manor Ground. I've not got an Oxford United shirt on. I don't own one. If you had spoken to me 24 hours earlier as I tore open my Christmas presents, you would have been informed that I was a Liverpool fan. Dad is a Liverpool fan, so I'm a Liverpool fan. Robbie Fowler is my hero and I love watching the old season reviews on video tape. I know that Oxford has a football team but at this moment in time, the Milk Cup is merely a vessel used to strengthen my bones and enhance the quality of my smile.

My First Oxford Match

In the first of what I hope will prove to be a very interesting series of posts, I have posted by time-ravaged recollections of my first ever visit to the Manor Ground back in April 1996. I'm really keen to hear from as many of you as possible, so if you would like to jot down your recollections of your first Oxford match, no matter how vague or unremarkable, it would be really appreciated. The more contributions we get to this, the more of an insight we can get into the reasons why we choose to follow this wonderful club. Please email all submissions to tbfuth@hotmail.co.uk.

Oxford United 1-0 Blackpool (06/04/96)

1996 was, in many ways, a perfect storm. English football was resurgent once again following the sweeping changes that had changed the face of the sport in the early 90s. The exciting and glamorous image of the new Premier League had reformed football from the 'slum sport for slum people' of the 80s into a game that was now once again socially acceptable for the middle classes to enjoy. 'Cool Britannia' was at its height, football being central to the British cultural renaissance of the time, and with Euro 96 on the horizon the buzz was that football was 'coming home'.

Some Observations from Today's Match

We don't make a habit of writing match reports here on The Boys from Up the Hill (there are plenty of other people who write fantastic match reports that we couldn't match), but the match against Crewe has raised several points which seem noteworthy and worth reflecting on.

He's Peter Leven, He'll Do What He Wants

A new cult has been sweeping across Oxfordshire, as 'Levenism' has begun to recruit new followers with astounding momentum. The arrival of Peter Leven from the MK Dons in the summer was perhaps one of the biggest eyebrow-raisers, as one of the strongest performers in League One last season confounded all expectations by moving down a league. It is little surprise, then, that Peter Leven has been in majestic form this season, and following another domineering performance as midfield puppet-master this weekend, the Oxford United Twitterati have chosen to honour him with the hashtag #ThatPeterLevenHeDoesWhatHeWants, the number one trending topic in Oxfordshire on Sunday evening.

What the Stats Say...Aldershot

Oxford face Aldershot this weekend and, as Matt Peck reveals, this match sees an Oxford side that have begun to re-find their form who will be facing off against an Aldershot who are in the midst of a poor run. The two sides have already met twice this season, Oxford recording a 2-1 victory at the Rec in the JPT, and Oxford fans will be hoping for a repeat performance this time out.

A Chat with Nicky Banger

Nicky Banger played for Oxford for two years between 1997 and 1999, but now works as Commercial Manager at Aldershot Town – our next opponents. Nicky was kind enough to answer a few of our questions about his time at Oxford, and also about his role in the commercial side of the game.

What the Stats Say...Crawley

Table-toppers Crawley are the first to visit the Kassam in 2012, their first visit in the Football League. Matt Peck looks over the stats once again, examining each side's respective record and comparing our progress this season with our record at the same point last year.