Oxford united FC
Oxford United legend John Aldridge on Milk Cup Wembley win
The U’s and Liverpool legend, known as ‘Aldo’, was top scorer in the competition that season with five goals and bagged a whopping 31 across the season as a whole.
With a brace in the semi-final first leg against Aston Villa, Aldridge was a key man for the historic United team which went on to beat Queens Park Rangers 3-0 in the final.
Trevor Hebberd, Ray Houghton, and Jeremy Charles scored the goals to see the Yellows, who were underdogs ahead of kick-off, to their first and only ever major trophy triumph.
In the comfort of his living room, Aldridge sat forward, remembering the year that lives so fondly in the memories of U’s fans.
“Did we expect to win it? No,” the 67-year-old declared with honesty.
“But in the early rounds, we fancied ourselves for a run.”
“I think one of the games I was injured, I think it was Newcastle, I didn’t play and the lads done really well and got past [the third] round.
“Then we moved into the semis against Aston Villa, which, you know, we weren’t too sure about, but to get them past them and get in the final and then everyone just basically said we’ve got no chance against QPR, we’re the total underdogs.
“Like Wimbledon were when I played for Liverpool; very, very similar. But the performance we put in, we absolutely smashed them. They couldn’t deal with us. It was just a fantastic day. To see 40,000 Oxford fans, that was special as well.
“We deserved to win 3-0, you know, and even [the QPR players] were very humble at the end of the game. I knew quite a lot of lads playing and they said, ‘look, you just battered us’.
“It’s massive for a relatively small club to do what we did. We knew we had a good team, some really good players.”
Clearly still enthusiastic about the victory, Aldridge still does not forget how the game played out, with one big regret still weighing on his mind.
“You know what, I missed a f****** sitter by the way,” the former Republic of Ireland international recalled.
“Little Les Phillips, who’s my mate, he should have scored and he’s crossed it to me. I was a little bit surprised and [it was an open] goal and I put it wide.
“I think that was to make it 4-0. So I was a little bit gutted I didn’t score at Wembley.”
The centre forward played 141 times for Oxford, scoring 90 goals before his move to Liverpool where he went on to become a First Division and FA Cup winner.
The 1986 Milk Cup was his first accolade, however, which Aldridge holds in very high regard, continuing to look back fondly on the day.
“You’re a little bit in euphoria, aren’t you?” he continued.
“You just tend to forget the moments. I was a bit gutted when Trevor [Hebberd] scored the first goal, because I wanted him to pass to me, but he scored.
“But I think picking up the trophy, when you’re a kid, everyone wants to play at Wembley and win the FA Cup. This is obviously secondary, but it’s not at the time.
“When you pick up the cup, it’s something that you relive, because you’ve seen so many great captains over the years and great players do the same.
“The day and the night that unfolded was…really special. Then having done that, we needed to stay up, which we did.
“That was a bit eerie, you know, the later on stages. But it was something that I’ll never ever forget and that’s the only time I won the League Cup.
“I’ll never forget that.”
Aldridge and co. beat Arsenal 3-0 on the final day of that season to stay in the First Division on the final day.
Oxford would have qualified for Europe with the cup victory if it were not for the ban imposed on English clubs from entering European competition due to the Heysel Stadium disaster which occurred the season before.
The Milk Cup final remains the greatest day in the U’s history, which former striker Aldridge is proud to have been a part of.
Exclusive quotes from an interview with the Oxford Mail, courtesy of BetBrain.
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.
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