Everyone remembers the day 20 years ago when Oxford United lifted the Milk Cup at Wembley.

Not so well remembered is the occasion 40 years ago when Oxford Boys had a hugely successful run in the English Schools' Trophy competition.

It was my privilege, as a young sports reporter, to follow the football team round the country in their bid for glory.

It ended in disappointment when they lost the two-legged final 5-3 on aggregate to East London Boys.

But just like Oxford United in 1986, they excited thousands of followers in the city on the way. It was the team's finest season since 1908.

Led by team manager Michael Hammett, a teacher at Wheatley Park School, they accounted for High Wycombe, Swindon, Woking, Cambridge and Havant in the early rounds.

In the quarter finals, the team faced a long trip to Seaham in County Durham, then took on Luton in the semi-final, winning 2-1 before a wildly enthusiastic crowd of 6,062 at the White House ground, Oxford City's former ground, off Abingdon Road.

The first leg of the final at the Manor Ground in Headington attracted even more spectators 9,062.

Oxford began well, taking an early lead with a header from Paul Walton, but then East London stunned them with three goals in 18 minutes.

Skipper Tony Tompkins pulled a goal back before half-time, but despite strenuous efforts in the second half, the home team were unable to get an equaliser.

Trailing 3-2 after the first leg, Oxford always faced an uphill struggle in the second leg at Millwall and went down 2-1, Ronnie Major scoring their goal.

But schoolboy football in the city that year earned many fans.

In an editorial after their fine run, the Oxford Mail declared: "The city has a team to be proud of."