DES Buckingham was delighted with how his Oxford United side executed their game plan, to clinch promotion to the second tier of English football.

The U’s will be playing in Sky Bet Championship next season, thanks to Josh Murphy’s brace in the League One play-off final against Bolton Wanderers at Wembley.

Next season be the first time since the 1998/99 campaign that United have played in the second tier.

For Buckingham, taking his hometown back to that level marked a truly special moment.

He said: “I can’t put it into words, and that’s what makes it so special. I know what this means to everybody associated with this football club.

“To do it the way we just have, I’m so proud of what I’ve just watched.

“I thought the way we executed that game plan was perfect or as well as it probably could have. We did what we wanted to with the ball, and I thought it was a proper team performance.

“If I’ve ever seen a performance of everyone involved, they took to the pitch and I’m delighted with everyone.

“The 99th minute when it went out for the goal kick, it was only in that moment when I turned and looked at that sea of yellow, and really took it in.

“For me, that was the moment when we knew we were going to win, but up until that point, you couldn’t take your eye or attention away from it.

“We were coming up against a wonderful side, and we know that ourselves. We know how good they can be.

“But to share that moment and see a sea of yellow celebrating, it was a very special moment.”

Buckingham added: “We’ve worked extremely hard over the last couple of months. We’ll enjoy this moment, you don’t get many of these in football, especially at Wembley, so we have to enjoy the moment with friends and family.

“Once that’s done and dusted, we’ll then turn our attention to setting up this team to be a good Championship club.”