Happy birthday to us.
On October 27th 1893, Dr Robert Hitchings hosted a meeting at the Britannia pub in Headington to give the village cricketers a sporting activity to compete in during the winter months.
A month later, on 25th November, Dr Hitchings and local vicar Reverend Scott-Tucker were in the starting line up as Headington, playing in orange and blue stripes, took on Cowley Barracks in their first game.
One hundred and thirty years on, the club formed by a doctor and vicar has grown immeasurably from its humble beginnings.‘The Boys From Up The Hill’ grew up fast.
After the Second World War, United were still a tiny set up, but in 1949 the club was elected to the Southern League and became a semi-professional unit. Harry Thompson was appointed manager and set about the task of transforming United into one of non-league's major forces.
The appointment of Arthur Turner as manager in January 1959 was another step forward. In 1960, Headington United, seeking admission to the Football League, became Oxford United. Over the next seven seasons Turner’s side, with the Atkinson brothers leading the way, took the club from non-league to the second tier. Along the way, they reached the sixth round of the FA Cup in 1964 - the first Fourth Division side to ever get that far.
Perhaps they overreached, but a long tradition of developing young players saw local boys such as Mark Wright and Kevin Brock come through the ranks and earn England recognition in the early 80s before the arrival of Jim Smith gave the club its Glory Years. Third Division champions in 1984, Second Division winners a year later, and Milk Cup winners in 1986.
Since then, there have been unforgettable promotions, last-gasp dramas, and Wembley triumphs. Local players like Joey Beauchamp and Matty Taylor have joined Matt Elliott, Kemar Roofe, James Constable and Cameron Brannagan as heroes to the fans.
After 130 years, the team is challenging to return to the Championship. The Academy is thriving. The Women’s team goes from strength to strength, and a new home is on the horizon.
So much to celebrate and so much to look forward to. Happy Birthday to us. Happy Birthday to the U’s.
Join us on Saturday to celebrate our birthday when we take on Wycombe Wanderers at the Kassam Stadium.
