Oxford united FC
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness wins charity cup in Oxford
The charity fixtures, held at the MGroup Stadium, was in aid of the charity ‘DEBRA’ which supports people living with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), also known as butterfly skin.
The matches featured football legends such as Souness, Matt Le Tissier and Dean Saunders, with others, like former Manchester United defender Wes Brown, in attendance.
The day was split into two semi-finals and a final with four teams involved: DEBRA Legends, Three Horseshoes Legends, Oxfordshire Legends and Oxford United Legends.
Team DEBRA was managed by former Liverpool midfielder, Souness, and former U’s 1995/96 promotion-winning manager Dennis Smith.
Oxford City host the Three Horseshoes Charity Cup for Debra (Image: Newsquest)
Three Horseshoes were led by Adie Foggett and Ben Reardon whilst former Yellows player and manager Mark Wright managed the Oxford United Legends along with former U’s player and Oxford City manager Mike Ford.
Oxfordshire Legends were managed by Andy Slater and Justin Merritt.
DEBRA and Three Horseshoes faced off in the first match as Souness’ side ran out 2-0 winners.
The United legends then triumphed over the Oxfordshire Legends, with former U’s men Matt Green and Matty Taylor scoring in a 2-1 win whilst Oxfordshire journeyman Eddie Odhiambo bagged for the losing team.
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A final match-up saw DEBRA take one the U’s legends.
Green bagged his second goal of the tournament, rounding the goalkeeper to put the Yellows one up.
Former West Ham United man and Oxford-born Matt Taylor equalised for DEBRA shortly after, before ex-U’s winger Chris Allen put the United legends back in front.
It looked like the Oxford United heroes had won the day with moments left, but Dean Windass had other ideas, tapping home at the back post to make it 2-2 and take the final to penalties.
After a mixed first five spot kicks for either team, the shootout entered sudden death.
Aston Villa youth goalkeeper made a big save before DEBRA scored to win the trophy.
Graeme Souness speaks at Oxford City FC (Image: Newsquest)
In support of the day and of the DEBRA charity, three-time European Cup winner Souness said: “I’ve been involved with Debra for seven years, and it’s only now that we’ve started to make inroads and help these children.
“We’re now repurposing drugs, these are drugs for skin conditions that are already on the market, we’re repurposing them, and we’re getting results with it.
“Footballers get much criticised, in some cases deservedly so, but the vast majority do the bit, they go beyond the college, they do charity work that goes unseen.”
Oxford united FC
Forgotten Oxford United midfielder in summer transfer link
After relegation from the Championship last season, the U’s are looking to make moves in the upcoming summer transfer window whilst also looking to trim the edges of the squad ahead of their return to League One.
Links to potential arrivals have already begun to circulate.
However head coach Matt Bloomfield previously stated that the Yellows squad would not need a complete overhaul as they prepare for the third tier.
There is some dead weight making up squad numbers though, and outcast Louie Sibley is the latest to be linked with a move away from the club.
According to AllAboutLeagueOne, Sibley has drawn interest from MK Dons who were promoted from League Two last season after finishing second behind champions Bromley.
The Buckinghamshire outfit are reportedly keen on signing the 24-year-old who has fallen well out of favour in OX4 after joining the club in the summer of 2024.
Fans with U’s player Louie Sibley (Image: Andy Ffrench)
The ex-Derby County man arrived at the Kassam after the U’s won promotion to the Championship via the play-offs under former head coach Des Buckingham.
Struggling to make his mark on the side and scoring once in 14 Oxford appearances in his first season, Sibley went out on loan to League One in January 2025, joining Rotherham United.
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He scored two minutes into his debut and played 21 times for the Yorkshire club, bagging two goals in total and one assist.
Playing just five times last season for the U’s, Sibley went out on loan again to Bradford City this past January but featured only four times for them and fell out of the matchday fold altogether from February onwards.
In total, the former England youth player has managed only 19 matches across two seasons for United with only one goal and one assist to his name.
Gary Rowett instructs Louie Sibley (Image: Mike Allen)
He has never featured under head coach Matt Bloomfield who arrived in early January and so the expectation is that Sibley will be allowed to leave this summer.
The midfielder is one of a number of fringe players whose futures are up in the air ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Other names include Peter Kioso, Siriki Dembele and Greg Leigh amongst a potential few others.
Players linked with joining the U’s so far include Colchester United’s Kyreece Lisbie – who has met with the club amid interest from Reading – Grimsby Town’s Jaze Kabia and Charlton Athletic defender Alex Mitchell.
Oxford united FC
Oxford United and Plymouth eye Sunderland academy graduate
The U’s suffered relegation from the Championship last term after finishing 22nd in the league and will compete in League One next season.
Oxford are short on defenders going into pre-season after seeing a total of 15 players depart last month; 10 released after their contracts expired and five returning to their parent clubs after loan spells in OX4.
Rumours are already beginning to circulate regarding transfer reinforcements for United, with the club having met with Colchester United winger Kyreece Lisbie in recent weeks as they look to fend off interest from rivals Reading for his services.
Colchester United’s Kyreece Lisbie celebrates after the Sky Bet League Two match at Blundell Park, Cleethorpes (Image: Nigel French/PA Wire)
There are now links to left back Fieldson who has impressed for Scottish Championship side Queen’s Park.
The 20-year-old, who was formerly on the books of Premier League Sunderland, is out of contract in Glasgow with the club having finished sixth in the league last season.
According to The Lower Tiers , Oxford are chasing the youngster who managed three goals and two assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.
🚨🗞️ EXCLUSIVE: Wigan, Plymouth, Oxford, Fleetwood and Salford Chase Queens Park Star Henry Fieldson
The left-back is out of contract this summer…
Link in the replies👇 #WAFC #PAFC #OUFC #FTFC #WeAreSalford pic.twitter.com/BMkPD5i2EP
— The Lower Tiers (@LowerTiers) June 1, 2026
The Yellows are not short of competition for his signature, however, with League One rivals Plymouth Argyle and Wigan Athletic both named as potential suitors.
League Two clubs Fleetwood Town and Salford City are also apparently in the running to bring Fieldson back across the border.
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The South Shields-born man graduated from the Sunderland academy but never made a senior appearance for the Black Cats.
He has since emerged as a standout young full back in the Scottish second tier leading to interest from across the EFL.
A number of SPL and EFL clubs, including Falkirk, St Mirren, Dundee, Dundee United, Plymouth and Wigan are lining up moves for Queen’s Park defender Henry Fieldson on a free transfer this summer. #falkirk #smfc #pafc #wafc #dufc #dundee pic.twitter.com/v6eE9n4wKU
— Pete O’Rourke (@SportsPeteO) April 17, 2026
A free transfer for a promising young talent could be a coup for Matt Bloomfield’s U’s, but the club do already have three left backs on the books heading into pre-season.
Jack Currie on the ball for Oxford United (Image: Jason Dawson)
First-choice name Jack Currie is contracted at the Kassam alongside the experienced Greg Leigh and recent signing from Huddersfield Town Ruben Roosken.
It is thought that Currie, 24, will attract interest this summer after a strong year last time out in the Championship, whilst the future of 31-year-old Leigh is uncertain after he was left out of the 25-man squad for the second half of last term.
Roosken, 26, signed permanently for United when his obligation-to-buy clause was triggered following his January loan move from the Terriers.
Any departure – or departures – in the left-back department could pave the way for a move for Fieldson and provide some more youth in that area.
Oxford united FC
Oxford United join Charlton defender transfer battle
The U’s are eyeing reinforcements following their relegation from the Championship last term, with eyes on promotion from League One for the 2026/27 campaign under Matt Bloomfield.
After announcing that 10 players would be leaving the club upon the expiry of their contracts and a further five loan figures returning to their parent clubs, United are left with just two senior centre backs in Ciaron Brown and Michal Helik.
The Yellows, who have been caught up in the recent Southampton ‘Spygate’ scandal, will need backup in the defensive areas if they are to mount a serious charge at the top of the table next year.
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READ MORE: Liverpool legend Graeme Souness wins charity cup in Oxford
Charlton centre half Mitchell has now been linked to the U’s, with the Kassam side reportedly joining the race to secure the 24-year-old’s signature according to Football League World.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE 🚨
Plymouth Argyle have been joined by Oxford United in the race to sign Charlton Athletic’s Alex Mitchell following the defender’s impressive loan stint at Home Park, Football League World understands 👀
Read more 👇🔗#PAFC #OUFC #CAFC pic.twitter.com/kj2A3Pb9PT
— Football League World (@FootballLeagueW) June 2, 2026
The Addicks man spent last season on loan at Tom Cleverley’s Plymouth and was a favourite amongst the Pilgrims faithful, winning the Supporters’ Player of the Season award.
Mitchell played 40 times in League One, scoring three times and also winning the club’s Player of the Month award on two occasions.
Argyle are exploring a deal to bring the defender to Home Park permanently, with the player himself calling the move a “no-brainer”, however it is not a guaranteed move with Oxford reportedly set to battle it out for a permanent transfer.
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