Nick Merry is hoping that Lady Luck will look after Oxford United this season - and help them to promotion. The Oxford United chairman is starting his third season in charge of the U's and knows exactly how difficult it is to get out of the Blue Square Premier.

But Merry is confident that Darren Patterson has assembled a side capable of winning the championship - if they get lucky with injuries.

"Our aim is to get automatic promotion and we are working hard to do that," he said.

"We certainly don't want to go through the pain of the play-offs again.

"And I believe we can do that - I am just hoping that we can stay injury-free."

Merry, like every United fan, is genuinely excited about the new season - but knows that the club are almost certain to make another substantial loss.

It is still a priority to buy the Kassam Stadium, but the news at the start of the summer that season ticket prices were reduced for people renewing was greeted with widespread joy.

"That was just a small thank you for the fans' perseverance and belief in the club, and one we felt we owed them," he said.

"It's been exceptional season- ticket wise (they have sold 2,700) which has to be good for the club.

"The fans have once again showed their faith in the club."

Last year's fantastic finish has given everyone - including Merry - great hope.

"We ended the season with a great run, five wins on the trot and nine wins from the last eleven games, and that made people sit up and take notice.

"Twenty goals scored and only eight against in those last 11 matches is a recipe for success and whetted the appetite."

Although United are again fancied to be challenging at the top of the table, Merry said that puts no added pressure on him - or Patterson.

"I know we are one of the favourites to go up, but I don't take any notice of that," he said.

"The bookies have said that before and look what's happened. There's no added pressure from that.

"The players have have done exceptionally well in pre-season. And now we are looking to the club moving forwards.

"We have worked very hard over the summer to get the new players we have got."

Merry and Patterson sent hours driving all around the country watching and talking to potential targets.

But it is again the support of the fans that United's chairman finds so heart-warming.

"We are always very thankful for the support and we have the same hopes and dreams as them.

"Hopefully, this season will be the one."