Oxford United positions after being in promotion places at Christmas

But what happens when they are among the pace-setters?

Since 1987, the year the Football League introduced play-offs, the U's have been in the play-off or automatic promotion places nine times on Christmas Day - including this season.

This is what happened on the previous eight occasions.

2019/20

United started the 2019/20 season poorly, but an 18-match unbeaten run in all competitions helped them climb to sixth by Christmas Day.

But despite running Newcastle United close in the Emirates FA Cup, the U’s won just one of their first eight Sky Bet League One matches of 2020.

Five straight victories then hauled United into the top six before Covid halted proceedings and the table was decided on points per game, setting up a play-off semi-final against Portsmouth.

Karl Robinson’s side squeezed through on penalties to set up a behind closed doors final at Wembley with Wycombe Wanderers, where they lost 2-1 on a hugely disappointing night.

Position on Christmas Day: 6th

Final position: 4th (PPG), play-off finalists

2015/16

The U’s were among the front-runners all season under Michael Appleton and were third on Christmas Day, with the good form continuing in early 2016.

United started the year with memorable wins over Notts County and Premier League side Swansea City, the latter in the FA Cup, and they remained in and around the automatic promotion places.

The U’s reached the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final at Wembley, losing 3-2 to Barnsley, but with three games left they were only in the top three on goal difference.

Appleton’s side held their nerve to beat Hartlepool United 2-0, before taking 2,283 fans to Cumbria as they overcame Carlisle United by the same score line.

Oxford United celebrate promotion in 2016 Picture: David Fleming

It meant a final-day win over Wycombe Wanderers would guarantee promotion to League One for the first time in 15 years and goals from Chey Dunkley, Chris Maguire and Callum O’Dowda sealed a 3-0 triumph.

Position on Christmas Day: 3rd

Final position: 2nd, promoted

2013/14

United had recorded top-half finishes in their first three seasons back in the Football League and looked set to improve on that in 2013/14.

Chris Wilder’s side were second on Christmas Day, a point off leaders Chesterfield, and had the meanest defence in Sky Bet League Two.

But a disappointing festive period was followed by Wilder’s resignation in January as he left sixth-placed United for Northampton Town, rock bottom of the Football League.

Micky Lewis kept the U’s in the play-off places during a two-month caretaker spell, before Gary Waddock was appointed manager in late March.

His reign could hardly have gone worse, as United took just three points from their last eight games and lost 3-1 at Wilder’s Northampton – who stayed up - on the final day.

Position on Christmas Day: 2nd

Final position: 8th

2009/10

The U’s were top on Christmas Day as they hunted promotion back to the Football League in Wilder’s first full campaign.

United had led the table all season and were in a dominant position, but they fell away after picking up just seven points in eight matches from March into April.

They still ended the season comfortably in the play-offs and faced Rushden & Diamonds in the semi-final.

James Constable’s goal earned United a 1-1 draw in the away leg, before the forward and strike partner Matt Green found the net in a 2-0 win in front of nearly 12,000 fans at the Kassam Stadium.

Alfie Potter seals Oxford United's return to the Football League in 2010 Picture: Damian Halliwell 

It set up a Wembley final against York City, where 30,000 supporters watched Constable, Green and Alfie Potter secure an unforgettable 3-1 victory to end four years in non-league.

Position on Christmas Day: 1st

Final position: 3rd, play-off winners

2006/07

Jim Smith’s side looked set for an immediate return to the Football League after a stunning start to their first season in the Blue Square Premier.

An 18-match unbeaten run helped United sit top of the table on Christmas Day, although their form had already started to dip alarmingly.

The U’s won once in 15 games around the turn of the year as Dagenham & Redbridge caught up and eventually pulled away at the summit.

United finished second and won 1-0 at Exeter City in their play-off semi-final first leg to raise hopes of a Wembley visit.

Yemi Odubade put them ahead in the return fixture, but the Grecians battled back to triumph 2-1 on the night and progress 4-3 on penalties.

Position on Christmas Day: 1st

Final position: 2nd, play-off semi-finalists

2003/04

United lost just one of their first 20 games of 2003/04 and sat second in Division Three on Christmas Day, a point off leaders Doncaster Rovers.

They were level on points with new table-toppers Hull City when they faced the Tigers on January 17, but a 4-2 defeat sparked a desperately disappointing end to the season.

Danny Allsopp beats Andy Woodman in Hull City's 4-2 win over Oxford United in January 2004 Picture: Jack Harland

The U’s won just four more matches all season and manager Ian Atkins was suspended in March for talking to Bristol Rovers about taking over, before being dismissed the following month.

Former England international Graham Rix was appointed as his successor, but failed to arrest the slide and United missed out on the play-offs by three points.

Position on Christmas Day: 2nd

Final position: 9th

1996/97

United ended the 1995/96 season brilliantly to snatch automatic promotion to the second tier – and they continued their good form the following campaign.

The U’s were sixth in Division One, now the Sky Bet Championship, on Christmas Day 1996 and beat rivals Reading 2-1 72 hours later.

Results dropped off in January and February as United, managed by Denis Smith, fell down the table.

But the final two home games of the season brought a 2-0 win over Swindon Town and 5-1 thrashing of Barnsley as the U’s finished 17th.

Position on Christmas Day: 6th

Final position: 17th

1994/95

After relegation to the third tier in 1993/94, United started like a train in Denis Smith’s first full season in charge.

The U’s did not lose a Division Two game until October and were top by a point on Christmas Day.

Robin Herd with Denis Smith at the end of the 1994/95 season

A ten-game winless run was damaging, although a mini revival meant United only fell out of the play-off spots after going down 1-0 at Wycombe Wanderers on April 15.

They were still in with a shout on the final day, but a draw at Plymouth Argyle and the Chairboys’ win at Leyton Orient condemned the U’s to seventh place.

Position on Christmas Day: 1st

Final position: 7th