My First Oxford Match: Youcef El Barhdadi

Next in our ever-popular 'My First Oxford Match' series is Youcef El Barhdadi, recalling an era when Ian Atkins seemed destined to lead Oxford to promotion. What could possibly go wrong? If, like Youcef, you'd like to write about your first Oxford match, please don't hesitate to email it to tbfuth@hotmail.co.uk.

My First Oxford Match: Adam Brown

Our My First Oxford Match series returns with these fantastic reminiscences of the Beech Road benches from Adam Brown. We're still looking for contributions to this series, and would really appreciate your memories of your first match, no matter how hazy they may be. If you're interested just email your recollections to tbfuth@hotmail.co.uk and they will be gratefully received!

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)

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.

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.

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'.