Oxford united FC
Oxford United boss wary of Blackburn Northern Ireland link
The two clubs face off tomorrow in an important game around the Championship relegation zone as the 23rd-placed U’s take on 20th-placed Blackburn with just four points splitting them.
Rovers boss O’Neill is also manager of the Northern Ireland national team of who Oxford have four current Green and White Army players in their ranks.
“It’s a fairly unique situation I would suggest,” Bloomfield pondered in his pre-match press conference.
“It’s not very often a manager has a club and an international job and comes up against a team with so many players from the nation.
“Michael will have a big know-how about a lot of our players and I’m sure he’ll be using that to the best advantage that he can.
“We’re going to have a tough game.
“Michael’s an extremely experienced manager who sets his team up.
“They look really well-organised, really diligent in their defensive shape.
“It’s not going to be easy for us to break them down at all.”
The Northern Irish contingent in OX4 consists of Ciaron Brown, Brodie Spencer, Jamie McDonnell, and Jamie Donley, with all but McDonnell having played for the senior national team under O’Neill.
The Rovers manager has overseen five game so far after taking charge in February, winning his first two and losing the following two before drawing 1-1 with fellow relegation-threatened side Portsmouth last time out.
Meanwhile, the Yellows have won their last two games with a victory over West Bromwich Albion preceding Friday’s impressive 3-1 win away at Preston North End.
The club and city now has a restored sense of belief going into the last couple of months of the season.
“If you hear what was going on in the changing room after the game on Friday, with our supporters around, speaking to people around Oxford and bumping into people, it’s been lovely to do,” U’s boss Bloomfield continued.
“And I feel like there’s a confidence and a belief coming back to our football club which is what we’ve been searching for.
“There’s been an increase in performance level. We’ve looked like we’ve had a good consistency about us.
“I think there’s been a repetition about our in-possession and out-of-possession shapes and what we’re going after and that’s starting to come through.
“I really want to give our supporters something to cheer about tomorrow night but it’s going to be a tough game against really stern opposition, so we have to make sure that we perform properly.”
The 15-year-old was playing in a Junior Premier League (JPL) match against Fulham at the club’s training facility on Saturday (March 7), when she collapsed on the pitch.
Emergency services, including Thames Valley Police and South Central Ambulance Service, attended Oxford Sports Park and transported her to the hospital.
It was then confirmed by the club on Sunday afternoon (March 8) that Amelia had passed away the evening before.
READ MORE: Flowers and shirt left for Oxford United goalkeeper Amelia Aplin
The men’s team’s next game is against relegation rivals Blackburn Rovers in the Championship on Wednesday (March 11).
United confirmed today (Tuesday, March 10) that a minute’s silence will be held at the Kassam Stadium and that players and staff will wear black armbands in tribute.
An official statement said: “Oxford United will come together ahead of Wednesday night’s fixture against Blackburn Rovers to pay our respects following the tragic passing of Amelia Aplin, who collapsed during a Girls’ Academy game on Saturday.
“The club can confirm a minute’s silence will be observed prior to kick-off, whilst players and coaching staff will wear black armbands during the match.
LEAVE YOUR TRIBUTE: Book of condolence opened for Oxford United’s Amelia Aplin
“We kindly ask that all supporters take their seats early to ensure the tribute can be conducted with the quiet reflection it deserves.
“Supporters are also invited to lay tributes outside the stadium before kick-off at the Ox statue in the South Stand car park.
“The club would like to thank our supporters, our visitors from Blackburn Rovers, and the wider football family for the overwhelming messages of sympathy, support, and solidarity received over recent days.
“The thoughts of everyone at Oxford United remain with Amelia’s family, friends, and teammates.”
A previous statement issued by the club said: “The thoughts and sincere condolences from everyone at Oxford United are with Amelia’s family, friends, teammates and coaches.
“We would like to place on record our appreciation for the efforts of the medical staff at both Oxford United and Fulham Football Club, along with the emergency services.
“The club will offer support to Amelia’s family, players, coaches and staff impacted by this tragic event.
“We would ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time.”
Tributes have been pouring in from across the county including from MPs and councillors, as well as football clubs across the nation.
She was a member at High Wycombe Swimming Club which has also paid tribute.
The club published their finances last week, recording a loss of £17.5 million compared to the previous season’s £15.9 million.
The club remained within the parameters set by EFL’s Profit and Sustainability Rules whilst the club referenced the cost of competing in the Championship as the main reason for for said losses.
Football finance guru and host of The Price of Football podcast, Maguire, spoke to BBC Radio Oxford’s dedicated U’s podcast The Dub to discuss the club’s accounts.
Initial takeaways
“I’ve often described the EFL Championship as being the clown car of European football when it comes to the finances. The average losses are somewhere between 450 and 500 thousand pounds a week and the only way that you can address that is either by player sales, but there’s a limited number of players that are attracted to the Premier League and the Premier League is where the money’s coming from, or relying on owners.
“Oxford’s results, it’s scary. I’m looking at a loss of 17 million pounds and saying well actually by championship standards that’s not too bad and for a club that’s just been promoted and the previous year Oxford had lost over 15 million pounds in League One, which is very high by League One standard, but you say well at least that’s got them to the championship of things going to improve.
“The money coming in goes up, but the wage bill was up 90 per cent in the championship because you’re fishing in a different pond.”
Oxford’s standing in Profit and Sustainability Rules
“It is a bit ironic because they encourage neither profitability nor sustainability, but you’re allowed to lose £39m. Some people say well hold on, Oxford must be fairly close to that, but you exclude your infrastructure costs from the calculations.
“It looks delicate because Oxford United’s losses for the last three seasons are around 41 million, but you add back those particular issues and I think they are comfortably within the limit.
“It should however be stressed that it’s a limit and not a target and I think this is where lots of fans sometimes get aggrieved and not necessarily thinking it through.
“You’re still relying upon an individual or a group of individuals to subsidise the football club to the extent of millions of pounds a year…but it doesn’t necessarily mean that if I’ve got a credit card and I aim to get to the limit.”
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Impact of potential relegation to League One
“The £11.5m Oxford United generated last season from broadcast revenue, which was around about two thirds of the total, that would drop to around about two million. So, there is a big hit.
“In League One itself, the rule is effectively for every £100 you generate in revenue, you can only spend £60 on wages. Now last season Oxford were 114 per cent, so it’s tricky.
“It will involve quite a reset in terms of what’s being paid to players, and that means that fans will be frustrated because either players will not have contracts renewed or the club will be seeking alternative places for them. And unfortunately, that’s part of football.”
Oxford United’s effectiveness as a brand
“It’s not a negative, I think a lot will depend upon how it is marketed. It’s an attractive city in many regards from an investor’s point of view and I’m here I’m thinking of US investors, how far is it from an airport because they want to come across at weekends.
“It’s not; it’s accessible I think from that point of view clearly the links with the university and so on is got a sort of cerebral element to it which I think could be attractive
“But it’s not going to add millions and millions to the price. It’s going to be a modest help but no more.”
Should Oxford fans be worried?
“I’d still be relatively relaxed. Lenders won’t lend unless it’s in their interest to do so. I’ve got to know Tim Williams – Oxford’s CEO – I’ve got a lot of admiration for him, he’s very professional, he’s not going to put the club at undue risk.
“You look at it from an internal point of view, I’ve got confidence in the senior management team.
“You look at it from an external point of view, lenders will have done their homework because we are talking about specialist and niche organisations and if the two parties are willing to come together then I don’t see a problem.”
Amelia assed away after a serious medical incident over the weekend with her death being confirmed on Sunday, March 8.
The teenager collapsed during an Oxford United Women’s academy game in which they played Fulham.
READ MORE: Oxford United to hold minute’s silence against Blackburn Rovers
The incident occurred at the club’s training centre, Oxford Sports Park.
Numerous tributes have been left for the popular teen, which includes one from Wycombe Swimming, where Amelia was a regular member.
In a statement, the club said: “We are devastated to learn of the tragic passing of a long-time Wycombe member and beloved friend, Amelia Aplin (15), who collapsed during a football match on Saturday, where she played for Oxford United FC Academy.
“This is an unimaginable loss, and Amelia will be truly missed.
“Amelia represented the club in numerous competitions, including County championships, Regional championships and Arena League events, including the National Cup Final.
“Our deepest condolences and thoughts go out to her family and friends at this difficult time.”
A spokesperson for Oxford United said: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of 15-year-old Academy player, Amelia Aplin.
“Amelia collapsed during a Girls’ Academy game against Fulham at the club’s Training Centre in Horspath yesterday afternoon.
“The thoughts and sincere condolences from everyone at Oxford United are with Amelia’s family, friends, teammates and coaches.
“We would like to place on record our appreciation for the efforts of the medical staff at both Oxford United and Fulham Football Club, along with the emergency services.
“The club will offer support to Amelia’s family, players, coaches and staff impacted by this tragic event.
“We would ask that the family’s privacy be respected at this incredibly difficult time.”
Wycombe Wanderers Women, the Thames Valley rivals and neighbours of Oxford, also released a touching message of support.
They said: “Everyone at Wycombe Wanderers sends their condolences to Amelia’s family, friends and teammates.
“Our thoughts are with all at Oxford United.”
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