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.

Photo from the stands at Wembley during Oxford United’s 3-0 Milk Cup final win over QPR (Image: Mark Griffin)

“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.

Trevor Hebberd after scoring Oxford’s first goal in the Milk Cup

“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.

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Oxford United win the Milk Cup in 1986

“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.