KARL Robinson is relishing the chance to unite a city behind its football club this season.

Oxford United kick-off the 2021/22 Sky Bet League One campaign at Cambridge United tomorrow, in what will be a special occasion for several reasons.

While the hosts are marking their first season in the third tier for 19 years, both sets of fans will celebrate the return of capacity crowds after 17 long months.

U’s supporters snapped up all 1,400 tickets in the away end five days in advance and Robinson will also be in the stands, as he serves the final leg of a four-match touchline ban.

United are aiming to bounce back from their second straight play-off disappointment and their head coach, who brings up 600 games as a manager tomorrow, cannot wait to get going.

The U’s head coach said: “I’ve been around the city quite a lot in recent weeks and there’s a real buzz.

“People are proud of their football club.

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“Someone said to me they loved watching the team play, and so do I.

“I’ve never been so excited going into a season.

“Every year that goes by you’re a year more experienced, you’re a year more excited, but you’re a year closer to your retirement.

“I’m thrilled with how pre-season has gone, we’ve had some difficult moments but it’s another part of the challenge football throws at you.”

Last season was played in the shadow of the pandemic and Covid has already affected United’s preparations.

A dozen members of the first-team squad had to self-isolate last month following three positive tests in the camp, while two players will miss tomorrow’s game because they are following virus protocols.

Robinson will hope it does not knock his side too much, as they aim to avoid another slow start.

The U’s spent the first three months of last season towards the bottom of the table, despite reaching the 2019/20 play-off final the previous July.

They recovered to snatch sixth place on the final day of the campaign, but lost to Blackpool in the semi-finals.

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There is always a danger history could repeat itself, but Robinson insists United are better prepared this time around.

He said: “Matty (Taylor) put it really well to me – he said ‘I didn’t feel it was a (play-off) hangover, but if we conceded a goal the frustration of last year came back’.

“I was probably the same.

“I just hope people respect that it did hurt us.

“We knew we were beaten by the better team in the play-offs this year and we knew we shouldn’t have been there.

“We should never be there, we shouldn’t mix it with them.

“But for some reason we give ourselves a chance year-in, year-out.

“This team’s got more power and experience.”