Oxford United’s backroom staff have had the first glimpse of a special magazine marking the U's 125th anniversary.
The Oxford Mail’s 124-page production charts the U’s highs and lows since 1893, including classic matches, iconic pictures and an interview with legendary ex-player Ron Atkinson.
It goes on sale at Grenoble Road before our home game against Shrewsbury next Saturday – exactly 125 years since the club was formed in Headington’s Britannia Inn.
Hundreds of U’s fans have already pre-ordered copies and will receive the publication in the post next week.
U’s coaches Chris Allen, Chris Hackett and Leon Blackmore-Such were among those to leaf through the magazine at the training ground yesterday
“There’s some great memories in there,” said Hackett. “I was taken to the Manor aged three or four as my parents were big Oxford fans, so it’s nice to see some old faces. It’s good to see the pictures from what I can remember as a kid, to fans’ memories and the games at Wembley.”
Allen, now head coach of the United under-23 side, spent five years as a winger for the U’s in the 1990s and reflected on a memorable era.
He said: “Being part of the club at that time was special. It’s always been a family club and we’ve built this new training complex, with the academy part of that. We’re continuing in that vein and the club is going onwards and upwards.”
The £5 magazine contributes to this in its own way, with £1 from every sale going to the U’s academy.
Youth team coach Blackmore-Such, another to play for the youth set up, hopes the extra pounds helps more young players make the jump to the first team.
He said: “It shows there’s investment in the academy, which hopefully brings more local boys into the side.
“When the fans sing ‘he’s one of our own’ it means a lot to everybody, especially the boys coming through.”
To pre-order your copy visit oxfordmail.co.uk/sport and click Oxford United or fill in the form in today’s paper.
Anybody placing an order before 5pm on Monday will receive their copy before it goes on sale on Saturday.