WE’RE up for the cup! That was the cry from these football fans as they set off to support their team.

Headington United, forerunner of the present Oxford United, were playing at Stockport in the FA Cup in January 1954.

More than 2,000 fans travelled by train that day, determined to be on the terraces to cheer the team on.

This photograph of some of them on the platform at Oxford station before they left comes from Henry Harris, a former club steward, of Routh Road, Barton.

He was among the rail travellers, although he cannot see himself in the picture.

He recalls: “Four of us went and we sat in the train’s restaurant car and had rum in our coffee. It was a cold day.”

The third-round tie ended in a goalless draw, with United’s defence winning high praise.

The Oxford Mail said the visitors withstood a “prolonged onslaught” from their Third Division opponents, and singled out goalkeeper Jack Ansell and full back Ted Croker as the day’s heroes.

The replay took place at the Manor Road ground at Headington the following Thursday afternoon with United winning 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Bobby Peart.

Manager Harry Thompson said afterwards: “I am delighted with the result and with the grand performance by my players. They richly deserved to win.”

Headington had already disposed of Aylesbury, Maidenhead, Chesham & Wealdstone, Harwich & Parkeston and Millwall in earlier rounds.

Victory over Stockport earned them a fourth-round home tie with mighty Bolton Wanderers, the first time a First Division club had visited the Manor.

As we recalled (Memory Lane, October 6), a crowd of 16,870 packed the tiny ground to see United’s team of part-timers take on the international stars of Bolton, including centre forward Nat Lofthouse. United lost 4-2, but were praised for another fine performance.

Bolton looked in command after taking a 3-0 lead through Lofthouse, Parry and Moir, but United fought back and Peart reduced the arrears.

Stevens added a fourth for Bolton before Ken Smith replied for United.

Any more memories of United’s great cup run in 1954? And do you recognise any of the travelling fans above? Write and let me know.

Memory Lane this week

 

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