Oxford united FC
Fans remember Oxford United Wembley heroics in 1986 PART TWO
Goals from Trevor Hebberd, Ray Houghton, and Jeremy Charles secured a surprisingly comfortable 3-0 win over favourites Queens Park Rangers.
Yellows supporter Graham Dunn, 55, was another who was 15 at the time of the triumph, and found himself at Wembley in his early days following the U’s.
“It was the most normal extraordinary day,” Dunn reminisced.
“You could say I was a glory hunter, having fallen for Oxford during their Milk Cup run two years earlier. But the thing was, Oxford kept doing the unthinkable.
“On the one hand being at Wembley watching Maurice Evans lead Oxford out – something that happened to other teams, not us – seemed surprisingly normal once we were actually doing it.
“We had been pretty dismal since the semi-final and didn’t go in with much hope, so were determined to make the most of the day out. I think we arrived at Wembley three or four hours before the game, and just lapped up the novelty of us being part of a cup final.
“Then the sun came out, Hebberd broke free and, in my mind at least, we were never losing. It is a moment that can never be topped – though it was only a moment and I do kind of wish I’d had the 40 years of supporting pain before rather than after cup glory – as that might have better prepared me for what was to come.”
Oxford fan and former football scout Darren Britnell, 57, was an apprentice with the U’s at the time, offering a different perspective on the day from behind the scenes.
“One of the most stand out memories was the boots that the players wore on the day,” he recalled
“Different players were sponsored by some of the top boot manufacturers and were supplied boots and tracksuits. These, whether it be their training or match day boots had to be cleaned and polished so your face could be seen in them!
READ MORE: Fans remember Oxford United Wembley heroics in 1986 PART ONE
READ MORE: Oxford United legend John Aldridge on Milk Cup Wembley win
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“This took another twist when Ken Fish asked to do the same procedure, but then paint each logo on every boot with white paint so that it stood out for the cameras!
“We had to use an oil based paint which was accompanied with a high, almost toxic odour making us feel light headed. It took us days because every adidas stripe, every Nike tick etc had to have three coats to meets Ken’s requirements.”
Oxford are set to commemorate the cup win at this evening’s home match against Wrexham with cup-winning players in attendance at the Kassam Stadium.
Parkinson gave his two cents on the relegation contest ahead of his side’s Tuesday night visit to the Kassam Stadium, praising the U’s despite their most recent defeat.
The Red Dragons travel to OX4 fighting for a Championship play-off place with three games to go.
“Derby game was a bad result for them,” the 58-year-old declared in his pre-match press conference.
“West Brom winning away at Preston; Portsmouth with three wins on the bounce. So teams around them have picked up crucial results. And in [this stage of the season], that does happen; the bottom teams have that galvanising effect when it matters most.
“Unfortunately for Oxford, the teams around them have just picked up valuable wins.”
Video thoughts after a tough result to take in #OxfordUnited’s 1-0 defeat to Derby County. 💭
Refreshment needed for Wrexham on Tuesday after a performance which felt like one of a doomed team. 😬#oufc 🟡 pic.twitter.com/EKvW0fm271
— malachi (@MalachiObrey) April 18, 2026
The reverse fixture back in October saw the Yellows defeated by a 1-0 score line in the first match-up between the two clubs since 2013.
Oxford now have a different manager in Matt Bloomfield and have lost only twice in their last nine games.
READ MORE: Oxford United expect no favours amid Wrexham preparation
READ MORE: Oxford United legend John Aldridge on Milk Cup Wembley win
READ MORE: Fans remember Oxford United Wembley heroics in 1986 PART ONE
“Their recent record is decent in terms of they’ve had some good home wins and, as we’ve said many times, the difference in standard between the top and the bottom, you certainly can’t underestimate any team at all.
“We went down to West Brom recently and our levels weren’t where they needed to be.
“We need to treat [Oxford] as a really good side, which they are. They’ve got a great work ethic in the team and we’ve got to be ready to match that, first and foremost.”
The 22-year-old has been a standout performer for the U’s this season with his consistency and attacking threat which will need to be harnessed as Oxford fight for survival in the last three fixtures of the Championship season.
The Yellows were defeated 1-0 by Derby County last weekend to dampen fans’ hopes of staying up, with Matt Bloomfield’s men now five points from safety with a game in hand on Blackburn Rovers who lie one place above.
Welcoming a Wrexham side who are making a late push for the play-offs, Mills and co. must find the wins they need in the final three games.
“We all believe it can be done. It has to start tomorrow night. You don’t really want to say games are a must-win but tomorrow feels like a must-win game.
“We’re going to go into the game trying to win.
“I think the gaffer’s shown that he believes in me and that makes a massive difference confidence-wise. I’m trying to do what I can on the pitch and we’re doing all we can to help Oxford stay in the division.
“You have to look forward to it as a football player, to come up against the so-called better teams in the league. I think you have to be ready to enjoy the battle.
“Obviously, they’re fighting for play-offs and they’re going to want to come here and win the game, but that also means there’s quite a lot of pressure on them.
“We just have to try and stick to us, do our own job and hopefully that can be enough.”
Video thoughts after a tough result to take in #OxfordUnited’s 1-0 defeat to Derby County. 💭
Refreshment needed for Wrexham on Tuesday after a performance which felt like one of a doomed team. 😬#oufc 🟡 pic.twitter.com/EKvW0fm271
— malachi (@MalachiObrey) April 18, 2026
READ MORE: Oxford United legend John Aldridge on Milk Cup Wembley win
READ MORE: Oxford United expect no favours amid Wrexham preparation
READ MORE: Oxford United expect no favours amid Wrexham preparation
Mills, who has three goals and three assists in the league this season, has become one of the first names on the team sheet under Bloomfield after receiving less minutes under previous head coach Gary Rowett.
There has been a clear development in his game with the former Everton man causing more and more trouble for his full back week on week.
“I think I’m very direct as a winger,” Mills pondered.
“I like to get out of the full back and try and create as many chances as possible. I think there’s definitely more to come from my game in regards to going both ways and giving the full back a bit of a headache.
“You can go down the outside, you can come on the inside, it’s going to be more difficult. I think I can definitely add more of that to my game. At the minute, I feel very consistent and I’m playing a lot of minutes.
“I’ve never played this many minutes and it’s a good feeling.”
The home side welcomed the visitors in what proved to be an exciting and hard-fought contest.
Holly Manders emerged as the standout performer for the United side, netting both goals as they fought back twice to secure a point.
Despite dominating the early exchanges, United found themselves trailing after thirty-two minutes.
A stunning long-range effort from Melis Mehmet caught goalkeeper Beth Wookey off guard, soaring into the top corner to give the Pirates the lead.
The home side continued to press but struggled to break through a resolute Bedford defence, heading into halftime a goal down.
However, the tide turned shortly after the break. Jenna Legg, who was instrumental in midfield throughout the match, threaded a perfectly timed pass to Manders.
And the forward made no mistake, firing home to level the score.
With momentum on their side, Oxford looked the more likely to take the lead, forcing Bedford’s keeper, Erica Meale, into a couple of decent stops.
Yet, against the run of play, it was the Pirates who struck next. Mehmet once again proved to be a thorn in United’s side, weaving through the defence to slot the ball past Wookey, restoring Bedford’s advantage.
The visitors seemed poised to extend their lead, putting the home side under pressure.
Nevertheless, Oxford’s resilience shone through. In stoppage time, a handball on the edge of the penalty area awarded the U’s a free kick.
Manders stepped up to take it, curling the ball around the wall and into the net, igniting jubilant celebrations among the home fans.
United will return to the MGroup Stadium this Sunday for their final match of the season against Lewes, who recently climbed above them in the standings following a 2-1 home victory over AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.
Fans are encouraged to come out and support the team as they aim to finish the campaign on a high note.
Attendance at the game was 241.
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