THESE football fans were cheering on a talented team of schoolboys. It was a rare occasion when the terraces at the White House ground, Oxford City’s former ground off Abingdon Road, was packed with supporters.

The picture dates from 1966 when Oxford Boys had a great run in the major national competition, the English Schools’ Trophy.

In the year that England won the World Cup, the Oxford under-15s fought their way through every round to the final.

They were finally beaten by East London, but they excited thousands of followers in the city on the way. It was the team’s finest season since 1908.

The fans above were among a wildly enthusiastic crowd of 6,062 at the White House ground on March 19 to see Oxford defeat Luton 2-1 in an enthralling semi-final.

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, where they triumphed again to earn the right to face Luton.

Everything looked lost when Luton broke away to take the lead early in the second half, but a calmly-taken penalty by skipper Tony Tompkins signalled Oxford’s comeback.

With 10 minutes left, Stephen Whelan scored after the Luton goalkeeper dropped a cross and from then on, Oxford’s superiority was never in doubt.

The final whistle brought a huge roar from the crowd, which filled every side of the ground.

The first leg of the final at Oxford United’s Manor Ground at Headington attracted even more spectators – 9,062.

Sadly, East London proved too powerful for Oxford, winning the first game 3-2 and the return leg at Millwall 2-1.

But Oxford were not disgraced. The Oxford Mail, in an editorial, summed up the city’s feelings: “We have a team to be proud of.”

Do you recognise yourself or anyone else in the picture, or have memories of the game or cup run? Write and let me know.