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Oxford United football shirt becomes runaway success

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Oxford United’s special edition kit, designed in collaboration with the Ashmolean Museum to mark its “In Bloom: How Plants Changed Our World” exhibition, has become the fastest-selling replica shirt in the club’s history.

The shirt’s design is based on John Ruskin’s “Study of Wild Rose,” a Victorian watercolour featured in the exhibition.

Dec McCarthy, publishing and licensing manager at the Ashmolean, explained how the partnership came about.

He said: “I began talking to Oxford United about three years ago and we pitched a few ideas around where there was common ground between the club and the museum, and clearly the connection was only ever going to be about Oxford.

“We looked at various artworks and artefacts in our collections that might resonate and we tried a few, tested a few, but ended up passing on them.

“We continued to discuss potential themes and then realised a big exhibition that centred around Oxford would be the best opportunity to partner together. And ‘In Bloom’ was the hook.

“We then fell upon Ruskin’s ‘Study of Wild Rose’ because, not only is it aesthetically beautiful, it’s got the yellows in it that matched to the United kit.

“And crucially, John Ruskin is so quintessentially Oxford.

“He taught students how to draw here at the Ashmolean.

“This shirt is as about Oxford as you can get.”

The shirt features a pale-yellow base and is framed by pink petals and green leaves inspired by Ruskin’s study.

The Oxford United badge and the Macron logo appear on the front, with ‘Ashmolean’ printed on the back.

Ryan Maher, Oxford United’s head of PR and media, said the shirt’s popularity reflects a shift in how football kits are used and viewed.

He said: “I think it’s been so popular because there is a real demand nowadays for football shirts to be different.

“They’ve gone beyond something that the football team and fans wear on a typical Saturday afternoon.

“You now see them worn at gigs, festivals and elsewhere.

“This collaboration with the Ashmolean is a success because it has been really well thought through over time.

“It feels genuinely authentic which is why it has garnered a lot of attention for being unique and relevant to the city, the museum and the club.

“And the design itself is just beautiful.

“For all these reasons, it’s really struck a chord with Oxford United fans.”

Just 24 hours after going on sale, the In Bloom shirt had already outsold the club’s previous home, away, and third kits for the season.

The limited edition shirt is available exclusively from the Oxford United club shop.





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Oxford united FC

Forgotten Oxford United midfielder in summer transfer link

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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.

READ MORE: Oxford United and Plymouth eye Sunderland academy graduate

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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.





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Oxford United and Plymouth eye Sunderland academy graduate

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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, CleethorpesColchester 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.

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.

READ MORE: Oxford United advance to sign Reading FC transfer target

READ MORE: Oxford United join Charlton defender transfer battle

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 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.





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Oxford United join Charlton defender transfer battle

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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.

READ MORE: Shock full details of Southampton spying on Oxford revealed

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.

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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