A 5,000-STRONG yellow army lined the streets of Oxford to salute their heroes earlier today as United celebrated promotion with an open-top bus parade.

Broad Street echoed to the chants of "yellows, yellows" as the bus stopped so the players and manager could take in the adulation from fans following their historic 3-0 win over Wycombe on Saturday.

The carnival atmosphere from that momentous game continued as the bus left the Kassam Stadium yesterday and made its way through the city towards Oxford Town Hall.

Keith and Trudy Dandridge, from Sutton Courtenay, have been supporting Oxford United for some 15 years.

Mrs Dandridge said: "We are season ticket holders and been to all games but Saturday was just incredible.

"I was shocked actually, Oxford United always have to do it the difficult way.

"We went to the barbecue party before the game and Darryl Eales came and shook everyone's hands, it was so good.

"We need to say thank you and it is a chance to see them a little bit closer."

For a brief moment it looked like the rain would stop long enough to give players a dry welcome but the weather had other ideas.

But it did not manage to dampen fans' spirits as an estimated 5,000 streamed through the streets before congregating outside the town hall.

From the top of the bus, top scorer Kemar Roofe said to the crowd: "This was our main objection at the start of the season, Wembley was a bonus, and we achieved it and got the promotion.

"It was good to get the personal awards but it would have meant anything without getting the promotion."

On the bus, the players were joined by Michael Appleton and chairman Darryl Eales as they carried their League Two second-place trophy aloft.

Margaret Davis, 78 from Stratton Audley near Bicester, has been at all the games since taking her daughter Rita Leigh, now 51, since she was four.

She said: "Saturday was brilliant, we weren't really nervous just confident after seeing them at Carlisle.

"The bus parade is a great thank you for everything they have done for us after supporting them for 48 years."

Her daughter, who comes up from Portsmouth for every game, added: "No matter where we move the team stays with you, we carry on going and carry on watching.

"Saturday and the parade just feels right after this season."

Surrounded by fans, the bus's illustrious passengers disembarked and made a dash for the shelter of the Town Hall for a civic reception.

Once inside they were greeted by Lord Mayor Rae Humberstone, Oxford City councillor Bob Price and Oxfordshire County Councillor Ian Hudspeth.

During the civic reception, Mr Price praised the players for their style of play and called for another promotion.

He said: "The city is really going places as we can see with the development of the Westgate and the club is going places too.

"A city of this size should really have a football team in the Championship.

"Their style of play this season has been attacking and attractive and it has attracted great crowds - and it's great for young people to get into football.

"Hopefully we will be here again next year with another promotion and let sort out the fourth stand."

County council leader Ian Hudspeth called on the club to do a 'Leicester' and keep the momentum going.

He said: "Everybody in the county is buzzing about it and it's great to have these kind of occasions.

"I want to thank the chairman Darryl Eales and all the team for a wonderful season.

"Let's go up to the Championship and then the Premiership and then do a Leicester City and win it."