Football took centre stage in an old copy of the Oxford Mail which has come to light.

In February 1992, Oxford United’s plans for a new stadium at Blackbird Leys were in the spotlight and talks were under way for Oxford City’s new base in Marsh Lane, Marston.

What’s more, United had gained a stunning victory at the Manor Ground at Headington in their fight against relegation from the Second Division.

United had announced plans for a major complex, including a hotel, multi-screen cinema, 24-lane bowling alley, disco, health and fitness centre, sports hall, 4,000-space car park and a 20,000-seater football stadium.

Oxford Mail:

Fans at the Manor Ground in Headington

Oxford City Council backed the scheme, but it was opposed by South Oxfordshire District Council, the planning authority, and a public inquiry had been called.

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The district council had set aside 19 acres for a football ground in 1981, but the latest scheme covered 79 acres.

Meanwhile, the city council was being recommended to press ahead with plans for Oxford City’s £200,000 centre at Court Place Farm, Marston.

This was less controversial because the land was in the city and although the club would have priority booking, the complex would be open to everyone.

As we all know, both schemes went ahead although, in United’s case, on a slightly smaller scale.

To add to the good sporting news at the time, bottom-of-the-table Oxford United had just thrashed fellow relegation strugglers Newcastle United 5-2.

Oxford took a 2-0 lead only for Newcastle to fight back to 2-2. However, Oxford launched a late blitz and scored three goals in 11 minutes.

Hero of the day was Oxford’s ‘Captain Marvel’ – 34-year-old Steve ‘Fozzie’ Foster, who scored two of the goals. It was a good omen – Oxford avoided relegation on the last day of the season.

The newspaper was found in the belongings of the late Wilf Bennett, one of Oxfordshire’s leading cricket administrators.

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He had kept the paper because he appeared in a picture published that day of members of Oxford & Worcester Boys’ Club football team in the 1948-9 season.

The main story of the day was a proposal by Oxford City Council to raise council house rents by 19 per cent – an average of £5.50 a week – following a 34 per cent rise the previous year.

Work to restore the crumbling Magdalen Bridge in Oxford had stopped because money had run out, an anti-hunting petition had gained more than 500 signatures and a counselling service had been set up to help businesses fight the recession.

Oxfordshire Red Cross had just taken delivery of a £200,000 minibus-cum-ambulance, thanks to a generous well-wisher, and there were growing fears that a new motorway could be built through Oxfordshire to relieve the M25.