How many times have we urged people to get behind Oxford United?

Well, today we appeal to fans across the county to get out and support the team, the club and the new regime.

Forget the politics, forget the boardroom discussions and forget the personalities.

Great strides have been made in the two-and-a-half years that Nick Merry has been chairman of United.

However, in an interview with the Oxford Mail, he freely admits a breath of fresh air was needed at the top.

He also had the bravery to admit that running a football club that finds itself languishing at the wrong end of the table had started to take its toll on him personally.

Enter Kelvin Thomas.

Yesterday's reshuffle was handled competently and professionally by the club and all fans should be grateful for the undoubted contribution Mr Merry has made.

Now it is time to move on.

In the words of Mr Merry himself, his successor is "young and smart" and has the energy and drive to take the club to the next level.

We hope that by the time 4.45pm arrives tomorrow, Oxford have three points and the club can start to move on up — both on and off the pitch.

Monday morning will seem a lot brighter if things go our way against Rushden & Diamonds.