On This Day - 29/10/96

Today, Oxford played out a thrilling 2-1 victory over Port Vale at the Kassam Stadium. On this day 15 years ago, it was their potteries rivals, Stoke City, who made the trip to the Manor. The intervening 15 years demonstrate how fortunes can change, as Oxford and Port Vale have both tumbled from the second tier to make today's match a Fourth Division affair, while Stoke of course find themselves in the Premier League and contesting cup finals.

Cult Hero: Martin Foyle

With Port Vale the next visitors to Grenoble Road this Saturday, we turn our attention to a well-known veteran of both clubs: Martin Foyle. Foyle is a legendary figure at Port Vale (he is their post-war record goalscorer and later went on to manage the club), but he also made over 150 appearances and scored 44 goals for Oxford before he was sold to Port Vale. More recently he was manager of York City on that fateful day at Wembley last May, at the same time creating an unusual space for himself in the history books of Oxford United.

What the Stats Say...Plymouth

Next up for Oxford are Plymouth Argyle, bottom of the entire Football League, and Matt Peck is on hand to examine the stats. Crisis club Plymouth have not had an easy start to life in League Two and currently find themselves 5 points from safety, however they have seen an upturn in form of late and will be eager to winning ways, following defeat to 'the A420s' at the weekend.

What the Stats Say...Gillingham

Oxford make the trip to Gillingham aiming to earn their first win at Priestfield since 1983, but with the one of best away records in the league are in a very good position to do so. Matt Peck once again brings his statistical expertise to these pages to reveal Oxford's record away at the Gills.

A Lack of Common Sense and Consistency from the FA

We learned in the week that United and Bristol Rovers have been charged by the FA following their match at the Kassam for 'failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour'. Here is our take on the situation.