A week may be a long time in politics, but it is an eternity in the life of Oxford United and its fans.

New owner Nick Merry

For U's supporters, the past seven days have been the difference between despair and hope, and between a horror story and a fairytale.

Witnessing the carnival atmosphere at Saturday's game it was hard to believe that just 10 days earlier hundreds of fans had protested outside the ground against the Firoz Kassam era.

But plans for a boycott of the multi-millionaire's other ventures were forgotten after the saints -- in the shape of Nick Merry and Jim Smith -- came marching in.

Fans who had ripped up their season tickets reached for the sticky tape and lifelong supporters who had stayed away all season dusted off their club scarves for Saturday's celebration, which all but eclipsed the game itself.

Some, like Malcolm Baker, who had refused to set foot in the new stadium while Kassam reigned, tasted its atmosphere for the first time.

A beaming Mr Baker, of Witney, said: "It's fantastic to be here. This atmosphere is incredible. It's reminiscent of the days at the Manor Ground.

"There was a tear in my eye when I came through the turnstile."

Hundreds arrived early to soak up the atmosphere and for the first time this season the North Stand was opened to fit in all the 7,486 fans who came to witness the start of a new era.

As the speakers blasted out Thin Lizzy's The Boys Are Back In Town, fans erupted as the announcer told them: "Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Kassam has left the building."

With the old owner gone, it was time for the new one to take centre stage and as hundreds of yellow and blue balloons, supplied by the Oxford Mail, blew on to the pitch, out stepped new chairman Nick Merry to chants of 'Merry, Merry, Merry'.

The cheers reached fever pitch as the announcer continued: "The eagle has landed. Please welcome Jim Smith."

Paul Noel, who has travelled from Bristol, said: "The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up. I've followed Oxford United all my life. This is an incredible moment."

But the euphoria would count for little if things did not work out on the pitch and, despite a battling first half by the U's, the score was goal-less at half-time.

Chris Leggett, 46, from Eynsham, dressed as a banana for the day to accompany his appeal for fans to 'go bananas for Nick Merry and Jim Smith'.

At half-time, he said: "Although we haven't scored yet, I know we'll get a win."

He was right. As the team worked up a head of steam in the second half, the noise from the terraces grew. In the 67th minute T'Cham N'Toya scored and the fans were delirious. The final whistle confirmed a vital win and rounded off the club's most joyous day in years.

Joe Little, 77, from Cowley, said: "I haven't seen the team play with so much passion and commitment for years. It's wonderful to see so many fans here and such an incredible atmosphere."