Oxford united FC
Fans remember Oxford United Wembley heroics in 1986 PART ONE
It is 40 years to the day that Oxford won their only ever major trophy to date when they dispatched of Queens Park Rangers 3-0 despite being underdogs.
Trevor Hebberd opened the scoring five minutes before half-time before Ray Houghton doubled the Yellows’ lead in the 52nd minute.
Jeremy Charles scored with four minutes on the clock to comfortably lead Maurice Evans’ side to cup victory with the U’s also securing First Division survival that same season.
Mark Griffin, 55, was only 15 at the time and had been going to Yellows matches for eight years before the final.
“We caught the train from Didcot to Paddington and had to stand all the way,” Griffin reflected.
“The train was just a yellow and blue party.
“I wasn’t confident at all until the game started but within about five minutes I kind of knew we had it. Our fans seemed to be louder than QPR, more colourful. The yellow army in full glory.
“I can play in my head Trevor Hebberd’s cut back to take out [Hoops defender] Alan McDonald before the impossible near post finish. It was just before half time which was the longest 15 minutes of my life.
“Once Ray Houghton scored everything was just like a happy dream. We sang our hearts out.
“We didn’t want to go home and so we just sat for a good hour after the game not really believing what we’d seen. The stadium emptied and we just sat looking at green turf reliving the key moments over and over. I think we thought if we stood up it’d all melt away like a dream.
“We didn’t dare break the spell until finally a steward pointed out we were the only ones left and politely asked us to go.
U’s fan Laurence Reade, 55, was also in attendance.
“Number one,” he answered when asked where the day ranks in his time as a United supporter.
READ MORE: Oxford United legend John Aldridge on Milk Cup Wembley win
READ MORE: Oxford United boss expects Placheta to miss rest of the season
READ MORE: Oxford United player of the season: who should win?
“Everywhere you looked was yellow and blue. The feeling of how big Wembley was. The old scoreboard with the bloke slotting huge numbers into grooves. Trying to take it all in thinking we’d never be back.
“Jim Smith broken but still happy for us as we sang: ‘You should’ve stayed at the Manor’.
Smith was manager of QPR after spending three years as Oxford boss until 1985.
“Maurice Evans sending Ken Fish up to receive his medal instead of him what a wonderful gesture.”
That image is one that almost all U’s fans recall with joy: Evans sent staff member Ken Fish up to receive his medal from the royal box as a gesture to thank him for his 20 plus years of service to United.
The U’s finished fourth in the National League South in the 2025/26 season behind champions Watford, Plymouth Argyle and AFC Bournemouth.
Liam Gilbert oversaw an upturn in form with Oxford since being reappointed as head coach in November.
Peterborough won promotion from the National League Division One Midlands – the fourth tier – last season, winning the league with an eight-point margin.
The Posh will travel to the MGroup Stadium, the home of Oxford City, for the pre-season clash.
The fixture will take place on Wednesday, June 15 with kick-off scheduled for 7:30PM.
📆 We will face Peterborough United in a pre-season friendly ahead of the new league season.
Join us at The MGroup Stadium on Wednesday 15th July with a 7:30pm kick-off.
🎟️ Tickets:
Adults – £4
Over 65/Mens Season Ticket Holders/NHS – £2.50
U18 – £1.50
U13 – £1.00
U7 – Free pic.twitter.com/HD6qXYCLyA— Oxford United Women (@OfficialOUWFC) June 15, 2026
The U’s announced that four players had left the club at the end of last season in Holly Turner, Lucy Trinder, Maddison Millington-Stanbury and Maya Kendell.
Having retained a strong core of players, the Gilbert’s side added a star signing earlier this month with the addition of Sophie Quirk from rivals Bournemouth.
The 24-year-old scored a staggering 29 goals in 33 games for the Cherries last term and will add a new attacking threat to United who are keen to seriously compete for promotion next season.
Quirk said upon her arrival: “There is so much ambition in the Club and everyone has been so welcoming to me which makes me look forward.”
League One club Oxford had a bid rejected for the 22-year-old last month, according to Pete O’Rourke , with the Baggies and newly-promoted Championship side Lincoln City also seeing offers denied.
West Brom have since progressed in their talks for the centre forward and have reportedly reached an agreement to secure Stewart’s services.
The former Queens Park Rangers trainee scored 10 goals in 21 appearances for Falkirk in the second half of last season, with the Bairns finishing sixth in the Scottish top tier.
READ MORE: Ex-Oxford United star Andy Whing opens up on Banbury exit
READ MORE: League One transfer news round-up including EFL rivals
He has visited Birmingham and accepted the opportunity to play for James Morrison’s side, according to @talkwba , with Stewart wanting the move.
Contract details are still to be finalised with the signing announcement to follow.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Agreement reached for Barney Stewart to Join West Bromwich Albion. 22yo visited Birmingham recently & accepted opportunity; contract set to be finalised – announcement to follow. Primary target throughout + wanted #wba move. W/ @EyaWeGew @WestBromXtra pic.twitter.com/6DJJUozR6I
— westbrom.fc (@talkwba) June 15, 2026
The SFWA Young Player of the Year had addressed transfer links previously, saying: “It is insane.
“If it was to happen it would be a massive step and a quick rise if it does happen and one I would have to take in my stride.”
Oxford currently have strikers Nik Prelec and Mark Harris on their books but supporters are keen to see the club add a more prolific goal scorer to the ranks.
Martin has agreed a deal with the Foxes, who are the early bookmakers’ favourites to be promoted, to take over as head coach in League One after the club was relegated from the Championship last season.
Ex-U’s head coach Rowett took Leicester down in 23rd place after being sacked by Oxford back in December.
Rowett had taken over from Marti Cifuentes who was sacked in January following a 2-1 defeat to Matt Bloomfield’s Yellows.
READ MORE: League One transfer news round-up including EFL rivals
READ MORE: Cult hero Andy Whing relives chaotic life at Oxford United
Former Queens Park Rangers boss Cifuentes had Leicester in 14th at the time and six points away from the play-off places but the club were then hit with a six-point deduction in February for breaching EFL financial rules.
Leicester’s new man charge has been out of work since being sacked by Scottish giants Rangers in October after a poor start to the Scottish Premiership season.
Martin previously took Southampton to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs in 2023/24.
He began his managerial career with MK Dons after retiring with the club before moving to Swansea City in 2021 where he spent two years.
The 40-year-old was a defender in his playing days, appearing in 586 matches across his career, 309 of which were for Norwich City.
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoWhat happens to Halifax customers if Lloyds makes changes?
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoActor steps down from major role in new Harry Potter series
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoOxfordshire bridge closure comes as management ‘weaknesses’ found
-
UK News4 weeks agoBurnham seeks to calm markets by committing to fiscal rules
-
UK News4 weeks agoGlass deposit scheme 'risks major problems' for retail industry
-
UK News4 weeks agoEx-minister Shapps quits aerospace firm over rule concerns
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoRyan Bridge speaks of London arrest after Oxford incident
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoOxfordshire man accused of sexual offences 40 years ago