Grant Ferguson, Oxford United's Chairman, wrote the following notes for the match programme against Grimsby Town in the Emirates FA Cup second round:
I probably say it before most FA Cup matches, but I really do think there’s a different type of anticipation and excitement around these games. Whether is the finality of a knockout competition and the late drama that can bring, or it’s the opportunity of a team from a lower league to cause an upset, the FA Cup very often produces great games of football, so I hope we get to enjoy a fantastic cup tie today against a Grimsby side who will be looking forward to the game as much as we are.
I am sure you enjoyed the match on Tuesday night against Bolton Wanderers as much as I did. It’s part of the magic of football that two very good teams can play out a 0-0 draw that keeps you on the edge of your seat. We saw a very strategic, tactical game where we were a match for the league leaders all over the pitch and on the sidelines. Small tactical changes by one side were quickly spotted and countered by the other so, after a quiet start, the game ebbed and flowed with some great football and plenty of goal chances. I think by the end a draw was probably a fair result.
Bolton are clearly a very good side, but so are we, and we remain hot on their heels at the top end of the table as we take a break from the league for a couple of important cup games.
Behind the scenes we are close to finalising the backroom team that supports not only Des but also compliments to our “one club” approach where skills and best practise are shared across the organisation. We already have an exceptionally talented group of people in the building so the aim is to augment that with more diverse coaching, player development and analytical skills, all of which are key in the modern game.
Talking about talented people, I want to call out some of our guys that have truly embraced the “one club” culture. Isaac Alder has stepped up very effectively to take the lead role in first-team analysis work, with support from Christian Fortuna, who has moved over from the academy. Billy Lawrence now brings the great work he has been doing for the women’s teams and the academy to manage the social media channels for the first team. This is a product of both the excellent attitude of these guys and our efforts to create pathways that allow bright, talented people to build a career in football at a club that shares the same values throughout the men’s, women’s and academy departments.
People work incredibly hard for this football club, and we should be proud to be a club where staff and players all have the opportunity to build fulfilling careers in the best sport on the planet.
Enjoy the game!
Grant
You can read the full programme online at www.matchdayfix.com/oufc