OXFORD City have high hopes of attracting their biggest league crowd for several years on Boxing Day.

David Oldfield’s side host Slough Town (1pm) as they look to regain top spot in Vanarama National League South.

Advanced ticket sales are the highest they have been all season, while the postponement of Oxford United’s game at Portsmouth is expected to boost the attendance.

Since August, City have already hosted three of their top ten biggest league crowds since reaching this level nine years ago, against Dulwich Hamlet (743 fans), Bath City (731) and Chippenham Town (663).

The 1,025 that came to their National League North opener against Chester in August 2012 remains the highest in that period, but commercial manager David Clark reckons Sunday might not be far away.

“Being the only game in Oxfordshire, we should look to be pushing towards our highest league attendance since 2012,” he said.

“We’d earmarked this fixture as one to push.

“We don’t know what the impact of Covid is going to be, but we’re an open ground where you don’t have to be near people if you don’t want to.

“Boxing Day football is a ritual, so with games getting called off across the country it gives us a great opportunity to have a bigger crowd.

“We’re quite excited, but we need to get the messaging right to make sure people know they can enjoy a good level of football with their families.”

The lack of an Oxford United game is likely to help City’s push, with their eight highest league attendances this season coming on days where the Sky Bet League One side were away or not playing at all.

When the U’s trip to Wigan Athletic was postponed at short notice last month, their neighbours acted quickly to offer free entry to the Dulwich clash to any supporter with a ticket for the match at the DW Stadium.

Clark says ‘30 to 40’ took advantage, ensuring City’s biggest crowd of the season saw an excellent 2-0 win.

Against Slough, United fans with tickets for the Pompey game can enter Court Place Farm for just £3, whether they buy online or on the gate.

Other offers include U’s season-ticket holders getting 20 per cent off to watch City throughout the season and Clark insists it all adds up.

“When they’re not at home you do see an uplift, although it’s not as substantial as you might think,” he said.

“What really helps is there’s no friction between the clubs.

“They’ve always worked well together so there’s quite strong ties and I think that translates to a warmth of feeling for Oxford City.

“Dulwich was the most satisfying, because we did a lot in the run up to the game and worked quickly to engage United fans.”

City’s crowds are up even if you take away any floating U’s supporters, with this season’s average of 540 almost double that of 2019/20.

Clark said: “Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out what you’re doing well. I think it’s a combination of things.

“The team doing well on the pitch definitely helps.

“I’ve no doubt that if we got promoted and had a Saturday home game against Wrexham, we’d get a record (league) attendance.”