Duberry pledges to stay on at Oxford United (From Oxford Mail)
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Duberry pledges to stay on at Oxford United
9:00am Wednesday 16th May 2012 in U's News
Michael Duberry has reassured Oxford United fans of his commitment to the club following rumours the defender was poised to retire or look for a move elsewhere.
And he is set to line up in pre- season alongside Deane Smalley, who has returned to the U’s determined to put a forgettable first year with the club behind him.
Speculation that Duberry was on his way out of the club was sparked by the veteran centre back’s actions on the final day of the season.
The former Chelsea and Leeds United player lingered on the pitch at Port Vale to applaud the travelling supporters and gave his boots away to fans.
It was seen by some as a farewell, but the 36-year-old, who made 37 appearances for the U’s this season, made it clear on Twitter he intended to see out the second year of his deal.
Immediately after the Vale game, he tweeted: “Why does everyone seem to think I am not coming next season?? Not retiring! I am and raring to go!! #OUFC.”
He repeated the sentiment this week: “To the many #OUFC tweople out there, I am staying at the club for another season. I will be wearing a #YellowandBlue shirt next year.”
While the news about the influential defender will be welcomed by United’s fans, they may reserve judgement over Smalley.
The U’s fought off competition from several other clubs to sign the forward last summer, but he failed to live up to expectations.
After two goals in 26 appearances, the 23-year-old was loaned out to Bradford City in January.
But United boss Chris Wilder is hopeful Smalley can recapture the form which saw him play a key role in Chesterfield’s League Two title-winning side in the 2010/11 season.
“Deane must do better and he knows that,” the manager said.
“The boy wants to come back, we’ve kept in contact with him and he knows he’s not done himself justice.
“I think he owes himself and he owes me, because I put my trust in him.
“When you’re forward it’s so important to get off the mark early and I’m sure he can kick on and show everybody what he’s capable of.”
Meanwhile, U's midfielder Asa Hall has completed his move to Shrewsbury.
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (33)
9:35am Wed 16 May 12
adlibber says...
9:37am Wed 16 May 12
gnash21 says...
COYY
10:39am Wed 16 May 12
LeGod says...
Lets see if he can score more own goals than the season just gone.
:)
10:51am Wed 16 May 12
dave from witney says...
11:39am Wed 16 May 12
Inkpot says...
Get rid asap. let him go for free if we can find anyone mug anough to have him.
12:59pm Wed 16 May 12
Brian Gibbs says...
Perhaps this tells us as much about Chris Wilder and his lack of ability when it comes to the right formation up front.
In January I posted that we would not get promotion without a forward coach and I am still of the same view.
2:47pm Wed 16 May 12
YellowRose says...
3:15pm Wed 16 May 12
Chickengeorge44 says...
4:15pm Wed 16 May 12
sdyerUsa says...
4:32pm Wed 16 May 12
Chickengeorge44 says...
If we have to pay too much rent then lets move. Oxford City, Didcot town,cutteslowe park, anywhere but the Shatzam.
Let's get out and start again. Brighton did it. What do we have to lose??? We've been to the conference, lost our home.
If money is that tight due to rent costs that we can't improve to squad the let's start all over again.
Build it and they will come!!
4:41pm Wed 16 May 12
yellowhoods says...
4:44pm Wed 16 May 12
pop up pirate says...
4:57pm Wed 16 May 12
CamView says...
5:51pm Wed 16 May 12
BigAlBiker says...
Two good players CW gave away, and no news on Adam Chapman yet, yes time for the manager to go the same way as King Kenny.
5:54pm Wed 16 May 12
bigchet says...
6:16pm Wed 16 May 12
horsham says...
on got their new stadium on a long 15 year battle and journey, backed by Tony Bloom, their wealthy Chairman. Oxford do not have money for a new stadium and moving from the Kassam makes no sense. Shrewd buys in the transfer market are the key...I've yet to see that Chris Wilder is the man, but if he is and promotion is possible, then the talk of moving stadium will disappear
6:38pm Wed 16 May 12
yellowhoods says...
7:05pm Wed 16 May 12
Chickengeorge44 says...
Sold down the river. What do we have at the minute?? No ground and half a squad. I know it'll be really tough. But worse that an eyesore miles from Oxford town centre?
If we were to invest in players to move up the leagues then move, great. But we seem to be losing money whilst attracting poor loanees.
9:04pm Wed 16 May 12
foxvox says...
10:05pm Wed 16 May 12
NottsOxon says...
£250k a year is about £10k a home league game so hardly breaks the bank.
That's about the revenue 750 fans per home game.
Given that our home attendance was 7,451 or third in the league, it knocks us down to 4th. So I don't buy that rental is the problem peeps make it out to be.
The question is if Shrewsbury can get promoted on smaller crowds and revenues, why is it we are underperforming and they are overperforming?
Compare our gates and revenues of
8:20am Thu 17 May 12
LeGod says...
hesterfield-Exeter-W
ycombe-Plymouth-Rove
rs-Northampton will all end up above Oxford.
I see a season of mid table mediocrity for you next season.
9:10am Thu 17 May 12
gnash21 says...
10:37am Thu 17 May 12
badger86 says...
11:00am Thu 17 May 12
Inkpot says...
You may not like the Kas but most of the u's fans are perfectly happy with both the stadium and the location even though it's only got 3 stands thanks to FK.
What would moving to another site do for the club?....f**k all.
You say "no ground & half a squad"......total balls!!
don't bother coming on this site if you've nothing constructive to say.
12:23pm Thu 17 May 12
pop up pirate says...
12:25pm Thu 17 May 12
pop up pirate says...
3:39pm Thu 17 May 12
Chish and Fips says...
Well PUP - we'll accept the 2 defeats if we go up every time ... thank you .
Are you really serious about that - or is it trying to make the most of another season going flat on its face .
3:49pm Thu 17 May 12
Chish and Fips says...
6:51pm Thu 17 May 12
pop up pirate says...
7:47pm Thu 17 May 12
Chickengeorge44 says...
I think the team needs improving in all areas, especially upfront.
Thanks for the idiot quote. Nice touch.
I'll leave you to argue with Chish, LeGod and the other Swimdon boys.
7:49pm Thu 17 May 12
learned says...
8:50pm Thu 17 May 12
yellowhoods says...
12:56pm Tue 22 May 12
FarmerG says...